The government has urged the states to take stringent action against the hoarders and black marketers to check the rising prices of essential commodities.<br/><br/>Replying a short term discussion on the issue in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday evening the Food and Agriculture Minister Mr. Sharad Pawar said that the ban on futures trading in sugar not to be lifted.<br/><br/>He gave the details of the steps taken to control the prices of essential items.<br/><br/>The Minister said it has already banned export of Non Basmati Rice and wheat to ensure higher availability of food grains in the country. He said that a long term strategy has also been put in place to deal with this issue with a focus on providing better irrigation facilities for crops to increase the food production.<br/><br/>Mr Pawar said that the rate of interest on agriculture loans has been reduced from 12 to 6 percent. He said that a national food security mission has also been launched to enhance food grain production.<br/><br/>Earlier opposition slammed the Government on rise in prices of essential commodities like rice, sugar and pulses, asking why it was helpless in mitigating the problems of the common-man.<br/><br/>Initiating the discussion on the issue the BJP leader Mr. Kalraj Mishra said in the Rajya Sabha he said that Political will and sensibilities to the plight of common man is missing. Members of other parties also held the government responsible for the rise in the prices.<br/>