The Centre has asked all the concerned Departments to keep a close watch on availability and prices of essential commodities.<br/><br/>Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha on Friday reviewed the prices of essential commodities like Onions and Pulses at a high-level meeting and asked the departments to work in close coordination with States to control price rise.<br/><br/>During the meeting it was observed that due to the increase in minimum export price of onions and extending stock limits, the prices of onions are showing a declining trend.<br/><br/>As regards pulses, out of five thousand tonnes quantity of imported Tur Dal, 3250 tonnes have already arrived. <br/><br/>As already decided, Kendriya Bhandar and Safal would be lifting imported pulses and would be selling at 400 locations in Delhi.<br/><br/>Other States have also been allotted imported pulses as per their requirement.<br/><br/>Besides, instructions have been issued to states to intensify efforts for enforcing stock limits and taking effective action against hoarding and black-marketing of essential commodities, especially pulses.