The government warned that it would take action against hoarders and profiteers, as part of measures to keep prices of essential commodities under check.

State governments have also been requested to strengthen the PDS, besides initiating action against hoarders, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters in Kolkata.

Import of commodities and subsidised sale of other staple items were among other measures the government was taking to bring prices down, he said.

India imports pulses from Canada and other countries and edible oils from Malaysia and Indonesia to bridge the shortfall back home.

In Delhi, Minister of State for Agriculture K V Thomas said the country would import pulses to tide over a deficit of about four million tonnes this year, but it has enough rice and wheat stocks to meet domestic demand.

Rice prices rose after poor monsoon hit sowing, while sugar prices surged owing to a fall in output.

Mukherjee said commodities like rice, wheat, edible oil, sugar and kerosene would be provided at subsidised rates to people living below the poverty line.