Shimla, Jan 29 (Inditop.com) The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has decided to hold demonstrations across Himachal Pradesh Feb 1 against the rising prices of essential commodities, a party leader said here Friday.

“We (the CPI-M) have decided to stage protests and demonstrations Feb 1 against rising prices of essential goods. The demonstrations would be held at all the district and sub-divisional headquarters,” CPI-M state secretariat member Tikender Singh Panwar told Inditop.

He said food prices rose 19.83 percent in the week ending Dec 31, 2009, as reported by the commerce ministry.

The recent price index reveals that prices of potato has doubled, onion prices are up by 23 percent, pulses 2 percent, wheat 13 percent, rice 12 percent, fruits 13 percent and milk 11.3 percent, he added.

The situation has been aggravated in the state due to factors like reduction in rice quota by the central government from 25,5615 tonnes to 16,3299 tonnes and delay in release of sugar quota.

The CPI-M would also hold a rally in New Delhi March 12 in this regard, he added.