Kolkata, Dec 21 (PTI) Attacking the Centre over rising prices of fuel, CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat today said it was pushing up the prices of vegetables and food items though there was no dearth in production.

“Diesel prices are being hiked by 50 paise every month. The price of petrol was increased by 41 paise a litre yesterday. Increase in fuel prices is pushing up the prices of essential commodities,” Karat told a party rally at Barrackpore near here.

Criticising central policies for the price hike, he laid the blame on futures trading and the Centre allegedly batting for big business.

“The runaway food and vegetable prices have pushed up wholesale inflation,” he said. (PTI)