Basu-led panel on inflation to meet tomorrow

Amid rising prices, the inter- ministerial group (IMG) on inflation will meet tomorrow to review the price rise situation in the country. "The IMG will meet tomorrow," Chief Economic Advisor Kaushik Basu, who chairs the panel, said. 

The meeting is likely to be attended by Reserve Bank Governor D Subbarao and will take into account the macroeconomic situation and discuss ways of controlling spiralling prices.

Basu said the current rate of inflation is "unacceptable" and may impact growth prospects.

Although food inflation came down to 8.5% in April from the 20% level seen in February last year, actual prices of food items continue to remain high.

The IMG on inflation was constituted by the government in February to suggest measures to control spiralling prices.

With a view to check rising prices, the Reserve Bank has hiked key policy rates nine times since March 2010. Earlier this week, the RBI hiked the interest rates by 50 basis points to tame inflation even at the cost of economic growth.