The Finance Minister, Mr. Pranab Mukherljee has said that the government is deeply concerned at the price rise of essential commodities and the Centre as well as the state governments will have to work collectively to control the situation.<br/><br/>Intervening in the discussion on the price rise of essential commodities, Mr. Mukherjee said that while the Centre has taken measures on the monetary side to moderate inflationary pressures, it has also banned export of all essential commodities, it is for the states to see that the mismatch between the field and market prices is minimised.<br/><br/>He said that it is the rise in the international prices of essential items and raw materials, the steep rise in crude oil and the global melt down which has led to the current situation. Mr. Mukherjee said that the government, by increasing the Minimum Support Price, MSP, of paddy, wheat and sugarcane, set the benchmark for the prices. He said this was to ensure that the farmers could get better price for their produce.<br/><br/>He said what needs to be ensured is that the weaker sections of the society are able to get the essential commodities at reasonable prices. Mr. Mukherjee said that the issue price for wheat, rice, sugarcane and kerosene in ration shops has not been increased for the last nine years. He said that under the Antodya Scheme, wheat is still being distributed at Rs. 2 per kilogram and rice at three rupees per kilogram.<br/><br/>Earlier, members from several parties attacked the government for sharp rise in essential commodities, especially food items. Leaders of various political parties, the BJP, the JD(U), the CPIM, CPI as well as the SP and BSP alleged that the wrong policies being pursued by the government were responsible for the situation.<br/><br/>The opposition members said that the focus was more on commercialisation of agriculture as well as industry, and not geared towards increasing agricultural production. The Congress on the other hand, blamed the state governments for not taking adequate measures to check hoarding and black marketing which leads to the escalation of prices.<br/>