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The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), one of the principal constituents of the United Progressive Alliance, today said it favoured a comprehensive debate on the food security Bill in Parliament, rather than an ordinance.
“Our party is of the view that such a crucial Bill needs to be debated in Parliament. NCP is not at all opposed to the food security Bill but is quite keen for its passage after parliamentary discussion. Opposition parties are not opposed to it, but they want more which can be debated,” said Sharad Pawar, Union agriculture minister and NCP chief at a press conference here today.
Pawar said while NCP is all for the Bill, his party and his ministry are of the view that to achieve sustainability in the implementation, the production and productivity of food grains should be raised. “This will be achieved through the ample availability of water and irrigation and also through the supply of adequate fertilisers. The government has already formed a separate group of ministers (GoM) to make suggestions in this regard and carry out programmes accordingly,” he noted.
Pawar said a GoM, headed by him, will make recommendations within a month on the increase in irrigation and water availability and steps to be taken by the central and state governments.
Pawar, who had earlier expressed serious reservations over the implementation of the Food Security Bill, said he would support the collective decision of the Cabinet. “Malnutrition is a problem. The government will provide 25 kg per family under the Food Security Bill,” he added. “In the democratic set up, collective decision is quite important and we have to accept it,” he opined.
On the objections raised by certain NGOs and critics against the Food Security Bill, Pawar said: “It is better that NGOs have disassociated themselves from the discussion on the Food Security Bill.”
On exports of agriculture produce, Pawar made a strong pitch for it saying that the country is expecting good production, but the international market is not ready. “During last year, India exported 10 million tonnes of rice, 5 million tonnes of wheat, 2.5 million tonnes of sugar and 8.1 million bales of cotton. The country got foreign exchange worth Rs 1,67,000 crore. Therefore, the exports should continue this year, too,” he viewed.
On IPL Fixing
On being asked about the spot-fixing scandal involving Indian Premier League (IPL) players, he said: “I am not in a position to make any comment in this regard.”
On involvement of politicians in cricket, Pawar said, “I am not associated with any sports organisations. However, I feel that politicians should not bring politics in games.”
No early elections
Pawar rejected the possibility of an early elections to the Lok Sabha. “After the completion of the Budget session, I do not see an early election to take place,” he said.
On the projection of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister, Pawar said if the name of one person is projected again and again, he never makes to the post.
On the Congress party’s attempt to pit Rahul Gandhi against Modi, Pawar said the issue never came for discussion at the UPA coordination committee meeting. He, however, declined to comment whether Gandhi can be projected by the Congress party as PM candidate. “How can I talk about other party matters?” he asked.
On the retirement of senior citizens from politics, Pawar said the retirement of politicians is decided by public at large.
