New Delhi: India's annual food inflation based on wholesale prices stood at 17.81 per cent for the week ended February 27 mainly on account of higher prices of pulses, potatoes and milk, official data showed on Thursday.

The annual food inflation had risen from 17.87 percent for the week ended Feb 20 from 17.58 percent for the week before, as per the limited monthly data on the wholesale price index released by Commerce and Industry Ministry, reports IANS.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had told both Houses of Parliament last week that taming inflation was a major concern for the government and high food prices was more to do with supply-side constraints.

"I will be the last one to deny that the behaviour of food prices in the last one year is something which does not worry us," the Prime Minister told the Lok Sabha.

"The House has my assurance that if any practical method can further bring relief to our people, our government will always be sensitive to the concerns of the members," he said speaking on the Motion of Thanks on President's address.

Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, nevertheless, feels prices will be brought under control soon. "I expect food and aggregate inflation to trend down over the next two months," he said earlier this week.
 
scale irregularities in execution of the Nregs projects and anomalies in payment of wages.

It was also observed that the irregularities in the projects being implementation under the Nregs had marred the spirit of the scheme in Jharkhand.

Some of the NGOs roped in for extension of Nregs in various districts including Khunti and Gumla districts were found to have swindled the fund by furnishing fake documents.

Chaudhary said that the new mode of payment would certainly help the government in execution of the project in honest manner so that the money meant for the poor reached the target section.