Dismissing the allegations of a sugar scam, the food and consumer affairs Minister Mr. Sharad Pawar has claimed that food prices have started coming down. He quoted figures in support of his argument.<br/><br/>Replying to the debate on price rise in the Rajya Sabha today, Mr Sharad Pawar said that import of duty free sugar was allowed to bridge the gap between demand and supply. The minister said that there are enough reserves of wheat and rice with the government and a number of steps have been taken to address the issue of price rise.<br/><br/>Refuting one by one the opposition charges, Mr Pawar said giving remunerative prices to the farmers was the conscious decision of the government so as to ensure faster economic growth as more than 60 percent of population is living in villages. Mr Pawar said despite early estimates of very low rice production this year due to scant monsoon, the condition has improved and the gap has come from 15 lakh tonnes to 9 lakh tones.<br/><br/>Our Parliamentary Correspondent reports that Mr. Pawar's reply was marred by interruptions by the opposition who wanted a response from the government on their points including the charges of a sugar scam. There was heated exchange of words between the opposition and treasury benches during his reply. Members of the main opposition BJP and JDU trooped into the well of the house to press for the response about alleged sugar scam which led to adjournment of the house.<br/><br/>Earlier both the houses were adjourned twice till 2 pm following as opposition in both the houses pressed for their demand to roll back hike in the fuel prices.<br/>