The Centre has asked the state government to strengthen public distribution system to tackle price rise of essential commodities. Addressing newsmen in Kolkata today the Union Finance Minister Mr. Pranab Mukerjee said that Centre has also urged the state government to supply essential commodities at subsidized rates through Public Distribution System so that poor people can be benefited. Mr. Mukherjee said that increase of procurement price of rice, wheat and sugarcane in the last five years have also created impact on the market for price rise. The Finance Minister said that there is deficit in production of pulses and edible oil and the government has allowed the state government and traders for duty free import to meet the demand. Mr. Mukherjee who also holds the post of the President of the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee, earlier launched the membership drive in Kolkata this morning.<br/>