Centre to announce measures to bring down prices

New Delhi, Jan 13 (ANI): The Central Government is likely to announce a slew of measures today to bring down prices of essential items.

The measures were discussed at a high-level meeting headed by the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Wednesday.

After the meeting, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia had a separate round of discussions on the same issue.

The measures being contemplated may include reduction of duties on milk power, banning exports of wheat products and taking more essential commodities out of the futures market.

There are expectations that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) too will announce some measures to curb inflation at its monetary and credit policy review meeting by month-end.

The government has been under attack for not being able to bring down prices, especially of food items.

The food inflation, fuelled by rising prices of vegetables, fruits, meat and egg has crossed 18 per cent on December 25. (ANI)