Festivities, polls prompt govt to keep tabs on food price movement

Global prices for Indian basket of crude averaged o $93.03 a barrel till 26th of this month against $86.43 in the previous month and $80.37 in July

Amid the ongoing festival season and ahead of the elections for five state assemblies, the Centre is closely monitoring inflation, particularly in food items, to enable it to take steps to increase their supplies.

“There is a complete no-nonsense attitude when it comes to food inflation, and instructions have been issued at all levels to be very sensitive to any possible price movements in any commodity,” a senior official explained.

Sources have said that all departments dealing with food items have been instructed to keep a close eye on all commodities and maintain a weekly record