SME Times News Bureau | 06 Apr, 2010
The first meeting of the core group of chief ministers and central ministers, to be held in the capital on April 8, will discuss the issue of price rice and steps to increase agricultural production, an official said on Monday.

"The meeting convened by the prime minister would discuss how to increase the food production, tackle the shooting prices of the essential commodities and ensure the supply of food articles effectively through the public distribution system," said the official.

The meeting will also discuss the need for improved warehousing facilities in the states as procured food grain are reported to be rotting due to lack of proper storage facilities, especially in Punjab.

The chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattishgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are the members of the group headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia are also members of the group formed in February at a conference of chief ministers held here. Top officials will also attend the meeting.