Meeting on Price Rise: PM Starts Discussions with CMs

Amid fears of inflation touching a double digit mark, Prime Minister has started discussions with his cabinet colleagues and chief ministers of 10 states to find ways to contain rising prices, reported IANS.

The meeting is being conducted though leaders and activists of the left parties protested against inflation in New Delhi and court arrested as a part of their nation-wide agitation.

The core group of chief ministers taking part in the meeting comprises of chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Punjab, Gujarat, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Besides chief ministers, Singh’s cabinet colleagues who are attending meeting are Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

Inflation soared to 9.89 percent during February and is feared to cross the double-digit mark in March – the data for which is likely to be released next week. Food inflation has been ruling at over 16 percent.

The prime minister on the eve of the significant meeting had said: “The country has a problem and I would like all political parties to pool their knowledge, wisdom and experience to evolve practical, pragmatic solutions to these problems.”