Manmohan Singh to discuss high food inflation with senior ministers

With the prices of essential commodities reaching alarming levels, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will hold a high-level meeting today to discuss the issue of food inflation which crossed 18% for the week ended December 25.

The meeting will be attended by senior ministers, including finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, home minister P Chidambaram, food and agriculture minister Sharad Pawar and Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia to discuss the issue of price rise.

Food inflation rose to 18.32% for the week ended December 25, due to rise in prices of food items like onion, milk and meat.

Retail price of onion continues to rule high at Rs55-60 per kg in major parts of the country due to sluggish supply.