Efforts to be made to control rising food prices: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said all efforts would be made to control the rising prices of food grains, pulses and other goods of daily use. We have adequate stocks of food grains. All efforts will be made to control the rising prices of grains, pulses and other goods of daily use. I appeal to all state governments to exercise their statutory powers to prevent hoarding and black marketing of essential commodities," Singh said in his address to the nation on Independence Day. Highlights of PM's speech

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said all efforts would be made to control the rising prices of food grains, pulses and other goods of daily use.

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"We have adequate stocks of food grains. All efforts will be made to control the rising prices of food grains, pulses and other goods of daily use. I appeal to all state governments to exercise their statutory powers to prevent hoarding and black marketing of essential commodities," Manmohan Singh said in his address to the nation on Independence Day.

"This year there has been deficiency in the monsoons. This would definitely have some adverse impact on our crops. But, I am sure we will be able to meet the situation quite well. We will provide all possible assistance to our farmers to deal with the drought.

"In view of the deficiency in the monsoons, we have postponed the date for repayment of bank loans of our farmers. We are also giving additional support to farmers for payment of interest on short term crop loans," the prime minister added.

He said modern means need to be adopted to be successful in agriculture.

"We have increased the support prices for agricultural products by far more than ever before. More attention will have to be paid to the needs of those farmers who do not have means for irrigation. The country needs another Green Revolution and we will try our best to make it possible." Manmohan Singh noted.