Continuing his pre-budget consultations, the Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today held discussions with the representatives of the trade unions. After the meeting, the trade union leaders told reporters that they have submitted a joint memorandum demanding effective steps to control rising prices, ban speculative forward trading in commodities and universalise PDS. They also demanded lifting of ban on recruitments in government departments and public sector undertakings. The Finance Minister on Tuesday held pre-budget discussions with the captains of industry. They also demanded to increase the scope of MGNREGA to urban areas. Earlier, he met all stake holders in the agriculture sector and now he is scheduled to meet the economists.