Monday, July 3 2006 18:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bhopal: Assuring concrete steps by the UPA Government to contain inflation, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today (July 3, 2006) said efforts are on to ensure that poor people are not hit by rising prices of essential commodities.

"All necessary steps are being taken by the Central government to effectively deal with increase in the prices of commodities. Our effort is to ensure that the poor is not hit by inflation," Gandhi said addressing a meeting of Congress workers and office bearers here.

Admitting that price rise has posed a problem before the people, the UPA chairperson said the issue has been discussed at length and the Congress-led coalition at the Centre is taking effective measures to tackle it.

Claiming that the promises made to the people were being fulfilled by the UPA government honestly and sincerely, Gandhi said, "Its work was reviewed and I am fully satisfied with the job being done by the coalition and proud of its performance."

Asserting that keeping its promises is a major strength for Congress, the party chief said it is the responsibility of the states to sincerely implement programmes like National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme, rural health scheme andmid-day meal launched and funded by the UPA government.

Asking Congressmen to keep a vigil on implementation ofthe central schemes, she said in case of lapses and irregularities they should raise voice and draw Centre's attention.

In a scathing attack on the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh, she said it is easy to form government by playing with people's emotions and misleading them, but only those with love for the poor serve the weaker sections.