THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ministers state that the opposition, which holds the government responsible for the issues of stray dogs and price hikes should examine the neighbouring states. Ministers M B Rajesh and G R Anil are of the opinion that Kerala is better than most of the states in both cases. Questions were raised on both subjects during the question period.

Narrating the plight of a family in his constituency, MLA Shafi Parambil openly stated that the dog was a nuisance in the assembly on the premises of the MLA hostel and even in the elevator. Responding to this, M B Rajesh pointed out that street animals are not only a problem in Kerala but also a nationwide issue. In Vithalbhai Patel House where MPs reside in Delhi, not only dogs but also monkeys cause nuisance. Rajesh said that many people from Kerala who came to meet MPs have been bitten by dogs. Speaker Shamseer also added that MLAs have also been bitten there.

MLA P Ubaidullah informed the House about the horror of the sharp price increase by sharing his experience when he visited the shop. The housewife told the shopkeeper, who gave two kilograms of tomatoes that two are sufficient. Ubaidullah said that at the price of Rs 120 per kilogram, one cannot even afford to buy tomatoes. Minister G R Anil bluntly stated that a kilogram of tomatoes costs up to 300 rupees in Delhi. He also suggested inquiring about the prices in Congress-ruled Karnataka and Rajasthan. With this, the issues of stray dogs and price rise became a nationwide topic in the Legislative Assembly yesterday.