New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS) Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar Sunday asked state governments to do more to control spiralling food prices, which led to protests in Parliament last week.
“I appeal to all state governments that they should take the issue of price rise very seriously to protect the interest of consumers, otherwise it will be difficult,” Pawar said while addressing the national convention of the Nationalist Congress Party.

He said while “soaring prices is a global phenomenon”, the Indian government was trying to control them.

Pawar also assured that the Centre would assist the states in controlling prices in every possible way. “The government is making determined efforts to contain the prices of foodgrains and essential commodities… Unprecedented rise in prices of essential commodities has created a serious difficulty for the people,” he said.

The minister pointed out that certain state governments were also providing additional subsidy to make cereals and pulses more affordable.

Pawar, who had formed the NCP after breaking away from the Congress, said despite the global recession, the government had made all possible efforts to bring down inflation to single digit.