CPI against hikes in power tariff, milk prices

BANGALORE: The state unit of the Communist Party of India (CPI) said that it would oppose any move to increase electricity tariffs and the milk prices by the state government.Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, state CPI secretariat member Siddana Gouda Patil said the BJP government in the state was contemplating increasing power tariff and milk prices.Stating that the people were already  overburdened with the sharp increase in prices of all essential commodities, Patil  said any fresh move by the state to increase the prices would put them in hardship.Asking the BJP government to take measures to confiscate the ill-gotten assets of mining barons, the CPI leader said it would help the common man to bear the brunt of inflation and price rise. “The government, instead of burdening the common man, should recover the looted wealth from the mining barons and officials who have supported them,” he said.  The state government might increase electricity tariffs and milk prices after the Koppal by-elections, he said. Replying to a question, he said the party had not fielded any candidate for the Koppal by-election, but                    was planning to support                 a non-BJP and a non-               Congress candidate.