Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the government is closely monitoring gold prices, noting that the yellow metal traditionally sees seasonal spikes during festival periods but has not crossed certain limits. Ms Sitharaman said this while addressing a press conference, post its customary post-Budget meeting with the Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India in New Delhi today. The Finance Minister said that demand for gold has risen, but it has not reached alarming levels, and prices have stayed within circuit limits.