The World : Poland Hiking Food Prices

The Polish government has outlined plans to raise the prices of most basic food items 12% to 13% but with greater increases for meat products, including as much as 80% for lard. The price of coal, electricity and gas would go up 20% to 30%. The goverment said the increases, to take effect in March and April, are designed to eliminate most of the food rationing that is still in effect. The price rises would be offset in some cases by wage hikes. The government appealed for public comment on the increases to avoid the social unrest that had greeted price jumps in the past.