NEW DELHI: Union Agriculture and Food Minister Sharad Pawar on Wednesday expressed concern at the high prices of essential commodities but said the Government was taking steps to tackle the situation. The issue is likely to be discussed at the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Prices on Thursday.

Addressing mediapersons during the Economic Editors' Conference on Agriculture here, Mr. Pawar said the prices of wheat and pulses had increased disproportionately this year.

The Government had taken steps to ensure remunerative prices to farmers who received better prices for rice, wheat and sugarcane. At the same time, to ensure lower prices for consumers the Government had allowed import of wheat and pulses at zero duty and reduced import duty on edible oils.

Mr. Pawar said that of the 55 lakh tonnes contracted, about 26 lakh tonnes of imported wheat had arrived. He did not foresee any need to import further quantities as the area sown under rabi wheat was higher this year. Besides, the Centre had drawn up an action plan to enhance productivity in wheat growing States from this rabi.

The Minister expressed concern at India becoming a "major importer of essential commodities" by 2020 if steps were not taken to improve productivity.

Mr. Pawar said suicide by farmers had shown a declining trend in four States — Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra — where the Rehabilitation Package had been given. Asked why suicides continued in Vidarbha, he said he did not know and pointed out that interest waiver had been raised from Rs. 610 crore, provided for in the package, to Rs. 1,900 crore subsequently.

Even institutional credit had been enhanced. "The State Government has set up a new group to go into this and we hope they would be able to come up with answers."

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