The government today assured Parliament that it will take steps to check price rise of essential commodities "as and when necessary".
Intervening in the debate on the issue of price rise of essential commodities in the Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said, "We are sensitive to it (price rise)... we are responsible (government)... Will take measures as and when necessary."
While inflation measured by the Wholesale Price Index remained in the negative territory for the eighth consecutive week ended July 25 to minus 1.58 per cent, essential commodities, particularly food items like sugar and pulses have seen a sharp increase in prices in the recent weeks.