New Delhi, July 10 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L .K. Advani flays the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for rising inflation.

Addressing, a rally of party workers in New Delhi on Thursday, Advani said that apart from the peasants of the country, government employees especially of the Central government, are facing acute problems in the face of soaring inflation.

“The farmers who are committing suicides have not borrowed money from the banks but from the local money lender. And now one more section is in trouble. That section is of the government employees that is facing crisis. The crisis of rising prices, which has crushed the budget of the middle class,” said Advani.

Scores of workers attended the rally, intended to voice their disappointment over the recommendations of the sixth pay commission as they feel it has not much to offer amidst soaring prices of essential commodities.

Inflation had already soared to a 13-year high of 11.42 per cent for the week ended June 14. While food articles and textiles during that week were up 0.7 per cent, primary articles rose by 0.2 per cent, and fuel, power and energy were up by 0.1 per cent.

A steep rise of 3.6 per cent was recorded in minerals, while tea was up by three per cent. Non-food articles, however, were down by 0.5 per cent.

Finance Ministry officials have warned that inflation could inch up to 13 per cent before making a slow descent.

Experts too are of the opinion that double-digit inflation is here to stay for some more time, but could come down in September.

With prices of crucial commodities like steel likely to rise further, inflation is expected to stay over 11 per cent before it peaks around September. (ANI)