DMK, a key constituent of the Congress-led UPA Government, asked the Centre to take steps to control the spiralling food prices on a “war footing” and called for amending the Essential Commodities Act.
The party’s General Council, chaired by DMK President and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi here, said the Centre should “bring in amendments to Essential Commodities Act and take steps on a war footing to control prices.”
On the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, the council said the rest of the 2.5 lakh Internally Displaced Persons lodged in camps in Sri Lanka should be immediately rehabilitated in their places of origin.
“As promised, devolution of powers is the only solution for Tamils and efforts should be made by the Centre to ensure political resolution,” the party said.
The meeting also urged the Centre to expedite steps to complete a Supreme Court case against the Sethusamudram Project and to take “effective steps” to put an end to the alleged attacks on fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy.
Further, it urged the Centre to make necessary amendments in the Constitution for state autonomy, which Mr. Karunanidhi later told reporters, was being demanded from the days of DMK’s founder, the late C.N. Annadurai.
The DMK, which had vociferously opposed the oil price hike last year, also said there should be no increase in the price of petroleum products as it would affect the common people.
AIADMK MLA K. Rajendran and expelled AIADMK member S. Ve Sheker, MLA, attended the DMK General Council meeting.
