Date:14/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/14/stories/2008041458380300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Curb soaring prices

Life has become a hell for middle and lower middle class sections. Prices of essential commodities like edible oils, rice, dal, vegetables, meat and chicken have shot up.

Palm oil, which used to be Rs. 40 per kg in April last, costs Rs. 65. The government should take initiative to control the spiralling of prices.

S. Lakshmi

Vijayawada

Left parties to blame

The CPI and the CPI(M), which are extending support to the UPA Government led by the Congress at the Centre, have no moral right to talk about skyrocketing prices.

They have miserably failed to prevail upon the government to take measures in bringing down the inflation. As the elections are fast approaching, they suddenly realised the need to make hullabaloo on soaring prices.

K. Kamakshi

Machilipatnam

No priority for people’s welfare

It is unfortunate that Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and others raised their hands and pleaded helpless in bringing down the prices of essential commodities. The inflation was about 4 per cent when the Congress-led UPA Government came to power in 2004.

The government appears to be in deep slumber though it crossed 7 per cent. The Congress-led governments are interested in retaining power rather than people’s welfare. People should teach them a befitting lesson in next general elections.

D. Vanaja

Guntur

Transparency lacking

The State and Central governments talk about transparency and accountability at all possible venues. But hardly any of the government officials or staff respond to the letters or complaints. Some time ago, whenever a letter was addressed to a government department, the recipient used to acknowledge the same, no matter whether it was a letter of complaint or a suggestion. The people are clueless whether their letters reached the official concerned or not. Can this malady be addressed?

C. Ram Mohun

Vijayawada

Strive for statehood

Ever since 1947, the coastal districts of the State have been grossly neglected by leaders of upstream areas of the rivers that are flowing in the State. The Godavari and Prakasam barrages were executed only after anicuts that were constructed by Sir Arthur Cotton fell into a state of disrepair. The respective governments have neither shown interest in the equitable distribution of funds to all regions nor the politicians from coastal districts put forward such demands. People from coastal districts should strive for a separate state.

H. Kalyan Rao

Guntur