China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said on Friday local departments should step up price supervision to maintain a stable market during the National Day holiday between Sept. 29 and Oct. 5.

The country's top economic planner said local authorities should keep a close watch over prices of grain, cooking oil, meat, poultry, eggs, vegetables and dairy products.

Relevant departments in the quake zone should continue to closely monitor prices of daily necessities, building materials and means of agricultural production.

The NDRC required local departments to timely report emergencies to local governments and higher authorities, organize price inspections on the said items, standardize sales promotion activities and investigate cases of bidding up prices of tourism and transport.

It also urged local authorities to admonish businessmen to abide by laws and prevent price rigging, and to teach consumers methods of protecting their own interests.

(Xinhua News Agency September 20, 2008)