Patna, June 14 (IANS) Expressing concern over rising inflation, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Monday said the government could import food items to contain it and hoped the prices would improve by July.
The minister discounted the possibility of raising interest rates.
High food prices are leading to an increase in inflation, Mukherjee said adding that it is further soaring due to increase in prices of non-food items.
Saying that he was not in favour of altering interest rates right now to contain inflation, he added that the monetary policy should ensure that the requirement of industry is not affected.
High food prices coupled with spurt in prices of non-food items have sent inflation soaring to double digits. Inflation has touched a 20-month high at 10.16 percent in May from 9.59 percent in April, due mainly to higher food and fuel prices.
