Food inflation unacceptably high; FM to meet states on Jan 19

New Delhi, Jan 14 (PTI) Terming food inflation asunacceptably high, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee todaysaid he will meet his state counterparts on January 19 todiscuss ways to rein in the rising food prices.

"Food inflation at this level is not acceptable and weare trying our best to control it along with the cooperationof state governments," Mukherjee told reporters here.

He said he would be meeting the state finance ministerson January 19 to discuss among other issues, price rise.

Food inflation fell for the first time in six weeks to16.91 per cent for the week ended January 1, but still remainshigh as vegetables like onion, and protein-based items turnedexpensive.

Rising food prices also pushed up overall inflation forDecember to 8.43 per cent, from 7.48 per cent in the previousmonth.

"WPI month wise has been moderating though it is morethan it was in month of November... But it is little less thanmonth of October," he said.

In October, the WPI inflation was 9.12 per cent. MORE PTIDP JD IND CS