Date:01/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/01/stories/2008070154260400.htm

Tamil Nadu

Create fund to protect poor from inflation: Vijayakant

Special Correspondent

VILLUPURAM: Founder leader of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam and MLA, Vijayakant, led a demonstration against spiralling inflation near the railway junction here on Monday. DMDK cadres carrying placards criticising the government for its inability to rein in inflation gathered all along the route and at the venue.

Addressing the gathering and later talking to reporters, Mr. Vijayakant stressed the need for creation of a “family welfare fund” to act as a cushion against the spiralling prices of essential commodities.

About 40 lakh people living below the poverty line were finding it difficult to make both ends meet. While the salaried classes were protected by the mechanism of variable dearness allowance, adjusted against the inflationary trend, the poor did not have such a safety measure.