Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI: The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) staged a statewide protest today in protest against the soaring prices of all essential commodities. It demanded the Prime Minister publish a white paper on the current economic situation in the country.
The prices of all commodities have gone up in the past few days. The situation aggravated with the spike in fuel prices, making consumers badly feel the pinch.
District units of the students' body staged a protest today in their respective district headquarters, including Guwahati city, against the hike in prices and in support of controlling prices of all commodities.
AASU's chief adviser, Dr. Samajjal Bhattacharjya, president Utpal Sarma, and general secretary, Samiran Phukon, took part in the rally in Guwahati city, organised by the All Kamrup (Metro) District AASU unit with support from the All Guwahati Students' Union (AGSU). The students held placards and shouted slogans.
Speaking to the media, Dr Samajjal Bhattacharjya said, "The prices of all commodities, including rice, pulses, edible oil, milk, eggs, petrol, diesel, life-saving drugs, etc., have gone up. The public is forced to endure the consequences of rising prices. Our main demand is the centre and the state government controlling the soaring prices. Our agitation will continue until the government checks the price rise. Running the government by making the public bear the brunt isn't the credit of the rulers. The centre and the state government have proved inefficiency by spiking prices."
Dr Bhattacharjya further said, "We confront some queries. A few days ago, the Prime Minister appealed to the people of the country to adopt austerity measures. He also showed us ways to cut costs. The people are inquisitive to know if the national economy has felt any serious jolt. The Prime Minister needs to publish a white paper on the current economic status of the country."
AASU president Utpal Sarma and general secretary Samiran Phukon said that the government is silent when soaring prices continue to burn holes in consumers' pockets. The prices of all commodities have gone up, including that of commercial LPG cylinders. It has affected several small-scale restaurants, tea stalls and college hostels. They said that they have no alternative to agitation until the government checks the soaring prices.
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