CHENNAI: The CPI has urged the union and state governments to take urgent steps to control the “rising” prices of rice, pulses and sugar, which it said have placed a heavy burden on the poor and middle-class families. In a release on Saturday, CPI state secretary M Veerapandian said the prices of essential food items had risen sharply across the country, particularly in southern states, including Tamil Nadu. The price of some rice varieties, including ponni, had increased by up to 50%, with certain premium varieties selling at Rs 90 per kg, he added. Further, sugar, which was sold at Rs 48/kg...