Bhopal, April 3: Opposition Leader in the State Assembly, Jamuna Devi has said that it was because of the wrong policies of the BJP Government the prices of essential items have been increased.

Reacting over the increase in power tariff, the Opposition Leader said that the state government has hiked power tariff five times during the last four years of BJP rule. 'If an ordinary man had to spend Rs 500 per month on electricity bill four years ago, now he will have to shell out Rs 1100/- in its place.' It is natural that if electricity charges have been hiked, prices on several items will rise automatically, she said.

The Opposition Leader has demanded to reduce the taxes on petrol, diesel and LPG and also reduce the power tariff to check price rise. She said that the state government has increased the price of state-owned Sanchi milk by Rs. 2 per litre. Another reason for price rise is the 'Inspector Raj' and collection of funds by the BJP. Moreover, she said, the BJP gives protection to black marketeers who, on their part, increases the prices of essential commodities without any fear.

Jamuna Devi said that the state government charges maximum sales tax in the country on diesel, LPG and petrol. She disclosed that the state government charges 26 per cent sales tax on diesel and 28.75 per cent on petrol. In other words, she said, the BJP government earns Rs 11 on one litre eiesel and Rs 15 on one litre petrol. As the sales tax on these items is maximum, transportation cost has been increased. This way the essential items have become costly, she said.

Jamuna Devi said that the BJP government has utterly failed to control the prices. 'Now even urea is sold in black market', she said.

Jamuna Devi's whirlwind campaign in Betul

By Our Staff Reporter

Bhopal, April 3: Opposition Leader in the State Assembly, Jamuna Devi has accused the present BJP government in the state for the poor condition of Adivasis. During her whirlwind election campaign in the Betul Lok Sabha constituency on Thursday, Jamuna Devi informed the tribals about the Central Government's initiative to provide ownership of land. She said that now no one will be able to throw them out of their own land.

Jamuna Devi accused the state government of misusing the funds released by the Central Government. She told the tribals that the present government is corrupt. And hence, the tribals are deprived of the benefits of the welfare schemes. She told the audience to teach the state government a lesson for which the right opportunity has come.

She has addressed election meetings at Sonakhedi, Panabaheda, Kuppa, Kotha, Bijadehi, Aaganamal, Kopliya, Pathai, and Sarjourpura areas in Shahpur development block.

Jamuna Devi had started the election campaign on March 31. During her campaign, she had toured and addressed election meetings at Badwani, Rahetgaon, Gouraghahal, Kamroor, Ratamati, Rajabarari, Oonchabarari, Bori, Bakakhurd, Kathi, Kaili, Rabag, Lodhithana, Kachnar, Gogoonala, Chicholi and Sarni.