Inflation is not due to shortage of food items: Pranab

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said on Saturday that inflation is not due to shortage of food items, adding that the price rise was mainly due to demand pressure of edible oils, pulses and sugar. Mukherjee further assured that there is abundant food stock in the country. The government, facing mounting criticism for rising food prices, is struggling to meet conflicting aims of controlling food inflation and trying to please farmers by paying them attractive prices.