Blaming the Delhi Government for skyrocketing food prices, BJP’s chief ministerial candidate Harsh Vardhan slammed the Sheila Dikshit Government for failing to provide even the minimum relief to the common man from the pernicious grip of food hoarders and speculators.
Addressing a media briefing on Sunday, Senior BJP leader, Murli Manohar Joshi and Harsh Vardhan said that providing affordable and plentiful food to all citizens would be the BJP’s top priority.
“The Sheila Dikshit Government is hand-in-glove with hoarders and speculators,” said Joshi. “Even Prithviraj Chavan, Congress’ Chief Minister of Maharashtra has said this. In fact, Chavan has categorically said that despite his many requests to Sheila Dikshit, she refused to buy vegetables directly from the farmers and preferred buying through middlemen,” he added.
Making promises to Delhiites, both the leaders said that if the wrest power in Delhi an independent Food Prices Commission — advisory body — will be formed to constantly monitor and fluctuations in food prices and suggest appropriate strategies to deal with price rise in a timely manner. The party also assured of a Special Price Force comprising retired Government personnel, including Armed Forces personnel to monitor the markets and look out for hoarders. “To protect against seasonal increase, Delhi needs adequate storage. We will encourage the establishment of state-of-the-art cold storage facilities,” said Vardhan.