THE Government has revealed a plan to stop merchants and traders increasing the prices of commodities ahead of the new fiscal year, 2010-11, which starts in July. Accordingly, the prices of 90 commodities, which include beef, fish, chicken, edible oil and dairy products, have just been reduced by 15 to 20 per cent, but only in co-operative outlets. The Government's step is well-timed, as it is also under great pressure to increase the minimum wage, following an historic ruling from the Administrative Court, which has ordered the Government to raise employees' basic salaries. The Government's step, which has been applauded by low-income families, also applies to rice and vegetables. As far as beef is concerned, its price has been cut after butchers, collaborating with cattle owners, increased its price to LE70 (about $13) per kg, prompting calls to boycott butcher's shops for at least one month. The Government's step to control the market is likely to help persuade millions of employees and workers to relinquish fears that the annual social allowance they are due to receive in July will be devoured by more price hikes. The social allowance is traditionally 10 per cent of a civil servant's salary, while prices normally increase by 20 per cent on the same day every year that they get their pay rise. But the sceptics are afraid that the reduction in prices of basic commodities is no more than a manoeuvre by the Government to avoid public outcry over new price increases, allegedly within months, in fuel and other petrochemical substances, which would automatically cause the prices of basic commodities to skyrocket yet again.