UP assembly’s Monsoon session: Opposition raises inflation issue, stages walkout

Uttar Pradesh minister for agriculture Surya Pratap Shahi countered the points raised by the Opposition and said the the rate of VAT was higher in Congress-ruled Rajasthan and other states where the BJP was not in power

The Opposition members, mainly those from the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, staged a walkout in the Uttar Pradesh assembly on the second day of the Monsoon session here on Wednesday, accusing the state government of not giving a satisfactory reply on the issue of rising inflation in the state.

Opposition members protest during the Monsoon session of the Uttar Pradesh assembly in Lucknow on Wednesday, demanding a discussion on inflation. (PTI Photo)

Leader of Opposition Ram Govind Chaudhary of the Samajwadi Party and Congress Legislature Party leader Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’ said the state government had not been able to give a convincing reply about checking inflation.

Earlier, minister for agriculture Surya Pratap Shahi countered the points raised by the Opposition and read out a list of medicines that were available at listed prices. He said the prices of only two medicines had increased. Jan Aushadhi Kendras had been set up across the state to provide cheaper medicines, he added. Shahi also said the state government made arrangements for free of cost treatment of Covid-19 patients. He also read out a list to make the point that the rate of VAT was higher in Congress-ruled Rajasthan and other states where the BJP was not in power.

“We have to go to people get votes. The state government should not say there is no inflation,” said Chaudhary. “Prices of petrol have crossed ₹100 per litre due to the high rate of VAT in Uttar Pradesh. The prices of essential commodities have gone up. The state government has failed to check black marketing. The people had to buy wood at high prices at the cremation ground to conduct last rites during Covid-19,” Mishra said