What I am doing is right: Sharad Pawar

NCP president and Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar always thinks big, no matter what. He may not have realised his dream to become prime minister, but that has not stopped him from dreaming. In a special interview at his Govind Baug farmhouse at Malegaon, Baramati, Pawar spoke to DNA on a wide range of issues. The first part of this interview was featured on Tuesday. The concluding part is featured today.

India must reduce dependence on agriculture
In the US, just 7% of the population is dependent on agriculture. It is 3% in Germany and 6-7% in Japan. In India, it is about 55-60%. The pressure on agricultural land has increased enormously. If 80 people survive on 100 acres of land, each one gets just 1.25 acres, but if just seven people are dependent on 100 acres then each person gets about 14 acres. It is necessary for India to shift its manpower base from agriculture to industry.

You have to choose between price rise and food security
People who can afford should pay higher prices for agri-commodities. There was an uproar over high prices, however, the fact is we give Rs60,000 crore in subsidy for purchasing low-priced foodgrains. If you want to improve agriculture, you have to give remunerative prices to farmers. This will lead to price rise and those who can afford should pay more.

I can list at least three major achievements
During government formation, I was offered high-profile ministries. However, I insisted on agriculture even though it is less glamorous because it affects 55%-60% of our population and concerns food security of the nation. Unlike the commerce minister, the agriculture minister comes into the limelight only during price rise or farmer suicides .

However, the fact is that foodgrains procurement and distribution to fair price shops has increased substantially in the last five years. As against 300-350 lakh tonnes previously, nearly 450 lakh tonnes is going to fair price shops now. This means everything has increased, including farm output, procurement, storage and distribution.

Output of allied agricultural sectors such as fisheries, poultry, dairy development and horticulture has gone up. Farm credit has increased from Rs86,000 crore under the Vajpayee government to Rs3.86 lakh crore today and that too, at 5% interest. Poor farmers who defaulted on loans were given waivers to the tune of Rs75,000 crore. Farmer suicides have reduced, though Yavatmal continues to suffer.

Do you think you have been misunderstood?
I know the criticism against me is politically motivated. But I also know what I am doing is right. The criticism does not affect me politically because my political base is intact and farmers are happy as long as they get good prices.

Maharashtra is losing decency in politics
The Thackeray spat (between Bal Thackeray, Uddhav and his estranged cousin Raj) is a family matter and I don’t know why it should have reached such a state. It is disturbing that this should happen within a family.

Bitterness and vindictive approach has increased in politics. I have had bitter critics but our criticism was never personal; it was issue-based.

The people of Maharashtra do not appreciate abusive language in politics or public life. The Maharashtra that I know is a state of cultured people. As leaders in public life, SM Joshi and Yeshwantrao Chavan had set some ideals before us. I recall how Yeshwantrao had once apologised to an elderly opposition leader in the assembly when a young Congress deputy minister had insulted him during a question-answer session.

We drew lessons from that. I have always had cordial relations with everyone, including Bal Thackeray. We have criticised each other bitterly but when he is not well, I visit him; sometimes he comes over for dinner. Vajpayee is like a father to me.

My mother influenced me deeply
I have been deeply influenced by my mother and by Yeshwantrao Chavan. They taught me to be courteous and cultured at all times. We may not agree with others but we must not cross the line. Listen to criticism and if you don’t agree, say so politely. Secondly, I feel that establishing a dialogue is as important as studying in public life. If a person knows more about a subject than you, then, irrespective of his age or position, you must respect him and learn from him. This helps in your own growth.

NCP’s office in the US
We have not opened NCP’s New Jersey chapter as a branch of our political party. There are about 10 lakh Indians in the US. Many NRIs want to contribute to India’s development. Some want to do things for Maharashtra, but they do not know whom to get in touch with. Some of them feel that the NCP should create a platform in the US for NRIs who want to contribute to India’s development. We opened a NCP chapter in New York to represent all Indians.