The sugar prices touched Rs 50 a kg in Delhi markets as the Centre blamed the ban imposed by the Uttar Pradesh government on processing of raw sugar. The centre on Monday laid the blame amid uncertainty about the trends in prices for the sweet commodity.

The centre government has come under attack from political sections as the prices of sugar and other commodities rise. Railways minister Mamata Banerjee spoke against the inflationary pressure and Center's inability to control it. She said that the Manmohan Singh government cannot deny responsibility for the rise in prices of essential commodities and called for an all party meeting to be called by the PM.

BJP, the main opposition party too attacked the UPA government for high prices and said the government was responsible for not taking adequate measures.

Union Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar expressed that quantities of raw sugar imported to the country is lying at the Kandla port from the last two months as the ban by the UP government has barred its processing. "Had it allowed that then we would have additional availability of about 2.5 lakh tones of sugar every month which would have helped control prices." he said.

Pawar also expressed that he had written to the state government to lift the ban however they did not adhere to the request.

The Cabinet Committee on Prices is to meet to discuss the issue on Tuesday. A suggestion is to allow UP millers to begin processing in other states. The centre is also planning to extend the import window of white sugar by nine months till Dec.

"I can't say. I am no astrologer." Said Pawar when asked when the prices are expected to come down from almost level which is almost double from the last year.