The government today said that it 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.Intervening in the discussion on the price rise of essential commodities, the Finance Minister, Mr. Pranab Mukherljee has said, the government’s concern is to ensure fair prices to the farmers as well as insulate the poorer sections of society from the impact of price rise.He said that while the Centre has taken measures on the monetary and the administrative front to moderate inflationary pressures, it is for the states to ensure that the mismatch between the field and market prices of the essential commodities is minimised.Mr. Mukherjee said the sharp increase in the Minimum Support Price, MSP, hike in the international prices of essential items and raw materials, the steep rise in crude oil and the global melt down has led to the current situation.He 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 Rs. 3 per kilogram.Replying to the debate, the Agriculture Minister while expressing similar sentiments, appealed to the state governments to take strict action against the hoarders and black marketers.Giving figures of different states, except for a few states, the rate of prosecution and arrests of hoarders and black marketers is very less. He also appealed to the state governments to streamline public distribution system to check diversion of food grains and other items and to arrest the leakages.Mr. Pawar hoped that the rise in the prices of potatoes and onions are temporary. He also said that while there has been sharp increase in the prices of edible oils and pulses, the prices of wheat and rice have been almost stable with an increase of two to three rupees.Members from all the parties including the ruling benches expressed concern over rise in the prices, specially of food items, however, the opposition parties blamed the centre for its wrong policies that have resulted in the situation, the ruling party on the other hand, alleged that the state governments were not taking adequate measures to check hoarding and black marketing which has led to the escalation of prices.