Curbing food prices govt's top priority: President

The retail inflation accelerated to a three-month high of 8.59 per cent in April mainly due to increasing prices of vegetables, fruits and milk.

“Inflation continues to be at an unacceptable level,” he said, adding that “we will work together to usher our economy into a high growth path, rein in inflation, reignite the investment cycle”.

On Saturday, top bureaucrats, headed by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, had reviewed the prevailing price situation in the country and preparedness to deal with the impact of delayed monsoon on inflation.

Fighting inflation is on the top of the agenda of the new government. In its election manifesto, the BJP had said that the immediate task of its government would be to rein in price rise.

The steps listed in the manifesto to contain inflation include a price stabilisation fund, setting up of special courts to deal with hoarding and black marketing, unbundling of the Food Corporation of India and establishment of national agriculture market.