Ranchi, Mar 15 (UNI) Criticising Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P Chidambaram for not taking measures to control the price hike, the Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly today staged a walkout during the UPA backed Madhu Koda government's reply in a special debate called to discuss the issue.

Initiating the debate, BJP chief whip C P Singh said the price of essential commodities had increased rapidly after the UPA government was formed in the Centre adding that the House should send a unanimous proposal to the Union government in this regard.

Participating in the debate, former state Finance Minister Raghubar Das said the price hike was directly related with the Union government but the state government could take measures to provide relief to people.

Mr Das said both the Prime Minister and Fianance Minister in country were economists but the condition of the economy was miserable and that there was lack of essential commodities.

He said essential commodities should be kept out of the Value Added Tax (VAT) and over expenditure should be checked.

Another BJP member Dinesh Sarangi said price hike, in the last two years was a record adding it was more than ever in the last 56 years.

Mr Sarangi said UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi had already accepted that the Congress was defeated in the assembly polls in two states due to the price hike.

He also stressed the need to form a law for consumer protection.

Admitting flaws in the food distribution department of the state Sukhdeo Bhagat(Cong) said the government should take measures and demanded the exemption of essential commodities from VAT.

Among others who participated in the debate included Ravindra Mahto, Mathuhra Mahto(both from JMM), Vinod Singh (CPI-ML), Chittranjan Yadav and Loknath Mahto(both from BJP).

UNI