Amid pressure over rising food prices, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Friday, asked State Chief Minister to crack down on hoarders to ensure smooth supply of essential items from farm gate to retail customers.

Food inflation has touched a high level in more than a year at 18.32 per cent for the week ended December 25, as costlier onions and vegetables jacked up prices of essential items. In a letter, Mukherjee urged them to ensure that all bottlenecks in the supply chain are removed at the earliest.

The minister said, the availability of the items that are driving the current round of food inflation in the economy should be improved, so that food prices can be brought down quickly.

Published Date : Saturday, 8/1/2011 4:03 PM IST