The Centre has convened a meeting of state Food Ministers in New Delhi today to discuss measures to check unreasonable increase in prices of food items including onion and potato. The meeting will be chaired by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Ram Vilas Paswan and Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh will also address the conference. The meeting will deliberate on steps to prevent hoarding of kitchen staples besides plans for distribution of specific essential items through public channels. The meeting will also review the Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act for creating a national common market for food items with no barriers to internal trade. Issues pertaining to maintenance of stock and supply of onion and potato as well as improving post harvest infrastructure, will also be taken up at the meeting.