Date:19/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/19/stories/2008111950820200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Nagapattinam

CPI holds protest against price rise

Special Correspondent

The government should ban online trading and institute mechanisms to protect the poor

NAGAPATTINAM: CPI volunteers staged a protest against the price rise in front of the tahsildar office here on Tuesday.

The protest was led by ex-MP M. Selvaraj and DYFI district secretary Selvam.

Later, speaking to presspersons, Mr. Selvaraj said that the price rise had been caused by the inept handling of the economy by the Central government. To ensure that common man did not suffer, the government should ban online trading and institute mechanisms to protect the poor.

In the delta region and the tail-end in particular, farmers should be protected by ensuring proper water supply. He said that the farmers’ and the agricultural labourers’ organisations of the CPI would stage road rook agitations at 100 places in the district on November 25, coinciding with the bandh already announced by the party for the cause of the Sri Lankan Tamils.

He also said that the government should increase the procurement price of paddy to Rs.1,200 per quintal and reduce indirect subsidies which benefit only fertiliser and seed companies. The government should also reduce the price of petroleum products reflecting the reduction in international crude oil prices.