New Delhi, Dec 1 (ANI): Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday lost his temper after being interrupted by Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Brinda Karat in the Rajya Sabha, while replying to a question.

The Finance Minister was replying to a question on shortage of food items, when Karat asked him about the status of sugar.

Furious Mukherjee shouted at Karat saying that he was not liking her behaviour, following which an uproar prevailed in the house.

When Mukherjee calmed down, he said that there was shortage of sugar and the Government is preparing to tackle the issue related with sugar.

"Price rise is a matter of concern as it affects the common man the most. This situation is mainly due to shortage of essential commodities like pulses, sugar and edible oil. To ameliorate the effect the inflation, PDS needs to be strengthened," Mukherjee said.

"Availability of sugar is 16 million tonnes, but the requirement is 23 million tonnes, similarly availability of edible oil is 92 million tonnes while the requirement is 158.64 million tonnes," he added. (ANI)