The Hindu : National : Promise of discounted foodgrains will be fulfilled: Sharad Pawar

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Promise of discounted foodgrains will be fulfilled: Sharad Pawar

Gargi Parsai

Other thrust areas will be development of fisheries, dairying

Government has procured a record 233-lakh tonnes of wheat till Monday
Rice procurement is higher by 46-lakh tonnes over last year

NEW DELHI: The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) will deliver on the Congress’ election promise of providing discounted foodgrains to the Below Poverty line (BPL) population.

This will be the priority of Union Agriculture and Food Minister Sharad Pawar, who returned to Krishi Bhavan on Monday for his second stint in the UPA Cabinet. Other thrust areas would be development of fisheries and dairying in which lie opportunities for employment generation.

Speaking to journalists after taking charge of the Ministry, Mr. Pawar said while wheat and rice procurement was all set to “create a new record” this year, the government would be able to fulfil the promise of delivering wheat or rice at a “particular quantity and a particular price.”

He said while the stock position showed “availability,” the National Food Security Law would have to be worked out.

“Whether it is 25 kg per BPL family [as against 35 kg per family] or the question of Antyodaya Anna Yojna families currently getting foodgrains at Rs. 2 a kg [against Rs. 3 a kg promised by the Congress], the government will have to take a view.”

“Money is not important”

To a question Mr. Pawar said, “Money is not important. For me what matters is availability of foodgrains and today the availability is good. The meteorological department has predicted a good monsoon, which is very encouraging for foodgrains production.”

The government has procured a record 233-lakh tonnes of wheat till Monday against 226-lakh tonnes procured in the entire season last year. Rice procurement too is higher by 46-lakh tonnes over last year.

The Minister said raising the yields of pulses and oilseeds would be a thrust area. Attention would be given to developing short duration variety of pulses and expand the area under oilseeds to attain “self sufficiency.” However, the higher minimum support prices of farm commodities would continue.

While admitting that high sugar prices, particularly in Delhi, were a problem, Mr. Pawar said he convened a meeting of the sugar industry to discuss the matter.

Among his priorities would be to lower the interest rate on farm loans.

“Throughout the world the [farm] credit is much cheaper. We brought it down from 12 per cent to seven per cent. Some States have made it six per cent. Still there is scope to reduce this. My Ministry will give a serious thought to it.”

He would also endeavour to bring in the institutionalised credit net the 40 per cent farmers, who were borrowing from the informal sector. The demand of the non-defaulting farmers to be given a loan waiver benefit would also be looked into.

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