Government has taken various measures from time to time to stabilize prices of essential food items. The steps include appropriately utilizing trade and fiscal policy instruments like import duty and export management through instruments like Minimum Export Price, export restrictions, regulate domestic availability and moderate prices. This was stated by Minister of State for Food and Public Distribution Raosaheb Danve, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. He said, other measures taken are imposition of stock limits, advising States for effective action against hoarders and black marketers and promulgation of appropriate Minimum Support Prices to incentivize farmers for increasing production. He said, Government is also implementing a Price Stabilization Fund to help moderate the volatility in prices of commodities like pulses and onions.
 
The Minister added that the Centre also monitors the status of prices of essential commodities through 135 price monitoring centres across the country. He said, these price trends are analysed on real-time basis by an Inter-Ministerial Committee which makes appropriate recommendations for policy interventions in case of price rise.