Cheaper idlis to be gift for CM on 85th b'day

TNN / Jun 2, 2008, 03:49 IST

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With all-round spiralling of prices, the government has been under intense pressure to check the rise and control inflation.

Cheaper idlis to be gift for CM on 85th b'day

CHENNAI: Along with colourful silk shawls, glittering mementos and expensive presents, chief minister M Karunanidhi will receive another gift for his 85th birthday, this one from the state's hoteliers and restaurant owners �� cheaper idli, dosa, pongal and vada for the Tamil masses.
After a marathon five-hour meeting at the state secretariat on Sunday, in which Karunanidhi too took part, hotels and restaurants decided to heed to his request and cut down prices of several items, particularly those relished by the economically poorer sections.
The meeting, chaired by Karunanidhi, known to work even on Sundays, was attended by several representatives of the Hotel Owners' Association besides food minister A V Velu. While an official press release was to be issued to the media after the meeting ended at 5.30 pm, a last-minute decision was taken to defer the announcement of the decision. It is likely to be made public on June 3 to coincide with the DMK patriarch's 85th birthday.
Asked about the discussions that took place during the closed-door meeting with the Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu Hotel Owners' Association president, M Ravi, was non-committal, merely stating that a decision would be announced later. Sources, however, told The Times of India that prices of food items on hotel menus like idli, dosa, pongal and vada would be cut as requested by the chief minister.

With all-round spiralling of prices, the government has been under intense pressure to check the rise and control inflation. Talks have been going on between the government and the hoteliers for a few days with the two unable to come to a consensus.
The participation of the chief minister in the talks today is said to have helped break the deadlock. In return for cutting down prices of food item, hoteliers had demanded some subsidies, especially for edible oil and LPG gas. The government is likely to release details on June 3.

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