The Centre has asked states to crack down on black marketers. Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar told the Lok Sabha that the Centre may extend a ban on future trading on sugar beyond December. Observing that prices of wheat and rice are reasonably stable, the Agriculture Minister said the situation is serious in the case of pulses, sugar, onion and potato and that the situation will improve after the arrival of the rabi crop. Intervening in the debate, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee blamed some states for shortage of some commodities, saying mismanagement by states is leading to the short supply. He said the government is deeply concerned over the rise in prices of essential commodities but said that it is the collective responsibility of both the Centre and the States to control the situation.<br/>