Stalin also asked the governments to make immediate efforts to ensure that the coronavirus menace does not result in hunger deaths.

Stalin, who along with his MLA Ma Subramanian, hit the streets to distribute masks and essential commodities to people of Saidapet on Wednesday said the price of essential commodities like pulses has risen by 30 per cent and commodities like tamarind, garlic and pepper have risen by over 100 per cent, which has also contributed to the rise in price of vegetables and meat.

Both the Centre and state have the duty to keep a tab on hoarding and price rise and ensure uninterrupted movement and supply of essential commodities in the market, which would restrict people acting with profit motive during the extraordinary times, Stalin added.

Opining that the Rs 1,000 relief per family card distributed by the government per family plus supply of essential commodities by DMK among the political parties and selfless groups were insufficient, Stalin said the immediate agenda of the governments should be distribution of fair amount of money and commodities to the people to address the essential needs of the poor and middle classes.

Stating that hunger death was another horror like coronavirus, the Leader of Opposition said, “People’s cooperation was important to prevent coronavirus spread. Likewise, role of the government was imperative in preventing hunger death. Government shouldplan diligently without any negligence to ensure that coronavirus menace does not result in hunger deaths.”