<h1>Essential commodities enforcement coupled with trade and fiscal measures to stabilise prices and supply of key food items.</h1> To address rising wholesale inflation driven by fuel and power costs, the Government adopted a multi-pronged response combining market-stabilising funds and procurement with regulatory and trade measures: increased allocation to a Price Stabilization Fund; creation of buffer stocks through procurement and imports; higher Minimum Support Prices; advisories to States/UTs to enforce the Essential Commodities Act and the Prevention of Black-marketing Act against hoarding; imposition of export duty on sugar; and reductions in import duty on selected food items.