Sugar prices to decline within a week: Sharad Pawar

Under fire from the opposition and allies, the government on Wednesday announced a slew of measures to arrest skyrocketing prices. The measures include the release of 10 lakh tonnes of cereals and 9 lakh tonnes of sugar into the market.

Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar said the measures would bring down prices in seven to eight days.

Prime minister Manmohan Singh has decided to hold a meeting of chief ministers on January 27 to discuss implementation of the Essential Commodities Act.

Pawar is likely to impress upon the CMs the need to suspend state taxes on food items. He sought to deflect blame on state governments, particularly Uttar Pradesh, for the hike in sugar prices.

The wholesale price inflation has hit 15-45% for primary food items and food inflation is at an 11-year high of 18-20%.