Haveri, Aug. 23 -- Sugar Minister Rudrappa Lamani on Saturday, August 22, said he would convene a meeting of officials on Monday to review the sharp rise in the prices of sugar and jaggery. He said the government was yet to ascertain the exact reasons behind the increase and suspected that some wholesale traders may be creating an artificial shortage.

Speaking in Haveri, Lamani said he had been occupied with the ongoing Assembly session and therefore could not hold a meeting on the issue. "We will hold a meeting with officials on Monday and discuss the reasons for the price rise," he said.

The minister said there were allegations that wholesale traders were deliberately creating an artificial shortage to push up prices. He said the gove...