Government has taken many proactive steps to control the prices of food items: Food and Consumer Affairs Minister

Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal said that the Centre has taken many proactive steps in the past few years to control retail prices of food items

Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal on December 24 said that the Centre has taken many proactive steps in the past few years to control retail prices of food items, and that the government would keep inflation under control while ensuring the country's economic growth.

He was addressing an event, organised by the Ministry here, to celebrate National Consumers Day.

Also read: What causes inflation in India: Demand or supply issues? | Data

"Today, India has become the fastest growing large economy. Going forward, we will keep inflation under check and also ensure economic growth," Mr. Goyal said.

Retail inflation inched up to a three-month high of 5.55% in November, driven by higher food prices, according to the latest official data. Retail inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was at 4.87% in October. Inflation had been declining since August, when it touched 6.83%.

On the steps taken by the Central government, Mr. Goyal highlighted that 140 new price monitoring centres had been set up to keep a close watch on wholesale and retail prices of essential commodities.

"Today, prices are being monitored at 550 [consuming] centres on a daily basis. This helps in insulating consumers from price rise," he said.