All options open for bringing down prices: Congress

Ahead of the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Prices, Congress today said all options are open to bring down prices of essential commodities.
       
Party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi also dismissed suggestions that agriculture minister Sharad Pawar had made any controversial remarks on price rise when asked about Pawar's statement that he was not an astrologer, hinting that the minister was quoted out of context.
        
"He (Pawar), the party and the government are extremely concerned about price rise. We are working. Rest assured, all efforts are being taken to contain prices," Singhvi told reporters here.
   
Pawar had earlier said "I am not an astrologer" when asked when sugar prices will come down.
    
Party sources said that "all options are open" meant that government could directly intervene to ensure lower prices of a handful of essential commodities, including sugar, to give relief to the common man.
       
The refrain in party circles is that since food inflation was rising due to the prices of some commodities, the government should focus its attention to make them available at cheaper rates.
       
Singhvi said, "more steps will be taken if the prices do not come down. All options are open. The results may not be satisfactory, but they will improve."