New Delhi: Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has formed a core group of Union Ministers and state Chief Ministers to tackle rising prices of food commodities. The decision was taken at a conference of Chief Ministers called by the PM today.

While all Chief Ministers attended the meeting, UP Chief Minister Mayawati was conspicuous by absence, which was criticised by many leaders later. The meeting focused on increasing production of various commodities, including food articles, and reducing market prices.

Prime Minister Dr. Singh said that the worst food inflation was over and the food production in India will be higher this year. He expressed confidence that the food prices will go down soon.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Centre for the rising food prices. "There is a lack of collective vision and a unified voice in tackling the issue of rising food prices. The meeting should have been called earlier. The central government has mismanaged the food economy due to its policies", he said.