By IANS,
New Delhi : Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Wednesday said high inflation was a matter of concern and the government was monitoring the price situation.
“We have already liberalised imports to meet the shortage of essential commodities. Certain items are under strict vigil and most of these items are duty free,” Mukherjee told reporters on the sidelines of a function organised by the rural development ministry.
Elaborating on the measures taken to keep prices under control, Mukherjee said the Food Corp of India had started distributing wheat and rice to states through an open markets sale scheme.
“It is being done and is under constant review.”
India’s annual rate of inflation, based on wholesale prices index, rose sharply to 7.31 percent in December from 4.78 percent in the previous month mainly on account of increasing food prices, which rose 19.17 percent in the month.
Latest figures showed annual food inflation at 17.28 percent for the week ended Jan 2.