PANAJI: The government's intervention scheme on price control to provide food items at subsidized rates will be suitably modified for people's benefit and more funds will be pumped in to expand its outreach, chief minister Digambar Kamat told the assembly on Wednesday. While the half-hour discussion on price rise proposed by MLA Damodar 'Damu' Naik generated much heat and spilled beyond the specified time, civil supplies minister Jose Philip D'Souza was often interrupted during his reply, by BJP MLAs raising the issue of astronomical rise in food prices.

D'Souza explained in his reply that the price rise was not only a problem in all states but also a global phenomenon and assured efforts to work out a solution in tandem with all members of the house. On the other hand, the CM agreed to modifications amidst din, even as Naik moved to the well of the house crying, "Shame, shame". Deputy speaker Mauvin Godinho who was in the chair declared the discussion closed and adjourned the house for the day even as other BJP MLAs tried to join Naik. "The government is open to modifying the scheme and to contributing more funds in the people's interest," Kamat said while trying to pacify the opposition MLAs.

Leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar said an allocation of Rs 4 crore was inadequate and demanded that the government specify a higher amount. "An average person needs 5 to 6 kg of rice per month," he said. Conceding that there might be flaws in the scheme, Kamat pointed out that it was started in public interest and was the only one of its kind in the country. Parrikar countered that Chattisgarh had a scheme of distributing essential items under the public distribution system, which commenced in the first week of every month and concluded with a report of distribution.

Kamat said inflation is caused by different factors including less rainfall, demand and supply problem and other reasons. Refuting the opposition's charge that inflation had shot up during the UPA rule, he said that it was also witnessed during the NDA rule. "The prices also went up and came down during the NDA rule," he said. Meanwhile, Kamat also said that the state horticultural corporation should purchase vegetables produced by local farmers and the latter should therefore not have to sell their stuff by the roadside. He also warned of strict action against LPG dealers in the wake of complaints by Mandrem MLA Dayanand Mandrekar and others that some were demanding money for allotting LPG connections. Courtesy:TOI