Sharad Pawar bats for limited onion exports

Sharad Pawar is now batting for limited exports of onions, sugar and rice.

“We should take a liberalised view of the entire situation. The onion growers of Nashik are now in tears as the wholesale price has dipped below Rs400 per quintal,” he told reporters at a briefing in his Krishi Bhawan office.

It is quite clear that Pawar, who has been under flak even from Congress leaders for the high rate of food inflation, is not bothered about the impact of these decisions on the retail prices of these essential commodities that impact the aam aadmi.

“You have to remember that the cost of inputs for the farmers has also gone up, and they too need to be compensated. So, a limited export of these items is in the interest of the farmers,” he added.

“Fortunately, it would not be my responsibility to answer these questions in the Parliament,” he quipped when a reporter pointed out that some third front parties were protesting against the high prices of essential commodities.

Relieved of the burden of the food ministry, Pawar who is the frontline leader of the powerful sugar cooperative lobby also made out a strong case for sugar exports.

“The sugar cane farmers are worried that the arrears for their payments shall be huge, as the output is high, and so exports with some restrictions are in order, as the international market price for sugar is also high,” he added.

He also made a similar argument for cotton while pointing out that the cotton output has touched a record high of 33.93 million bales.

Later in the evening, a group of ministers cleared the way of export of 1.5 lakh tonne of rice, and a variety of onions produced in the southern region.