Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked state governments to tackle shortages of essential supplies while promising all possible assistance from the Centre.Addressing the first annual conference of the Chief Secretaries, Dr Singh said though it will never be possible to be insulated from the pulls and pressures of international demand and supply, the State Governments must forge appropriate strategies to bolster food production and tackle shortages of essential supplies.Speaking on newer challenges confronting the administrators, the Prime Minister said people today resent apathy, sloth and corruption in any form and at any level of government more than ever before.He said the rising expectations of the people made them impatient with the speed at which results were delivered by the government and there is clamour for accountability from all quarters – the legislature, the judiciary and the media.