India: A Political Move Against Inflation

India has placed a ban on futures trading in several commodities, including soybean oil, chickpeas and potatoes, May 8 in an attempt to slow down rampant inflation. The move is not likely to alleviate India's food price problem, but it is necessary for the ruling Congress Party to show that it is making an effort to keep prices down as the global food crisis worsens and India faces the possibility of food riots.