EGoM to discuss high food prices today

NEW DELHI: An Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on food, headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, will meet in New Delhi on Tuesday to review prices of essential commodities.

The group may also take up the issue of increasing the Central Issue Price (CIP) of sugar sold through ration shops.

The EGoM would also deliberate upon allocating additional quota of wheat and rice through Public Distribution System (PDS) and open market sale scheme.

The food ministry had proposed an increase of Rs. four per kg to Rs. 17.50 per kg in the CIP of sugar through PDS.

The meeting is being held in the backdrop of high prices of vegetables, especially onion, tomato and garlic.

Early last week, onion prices had doubled to Rs. 70-85 per kg in retail market in major cities across the country.

Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrasekhar is also scheduled to review prices of essential commodities with secretaries of key ministries, including agriculture and consumer affairs.

The secretaries would also review the prices of milk, egg, fish and meat in the domestic market and are expected to take action to check high prices.