No explanation sought from my ministry on price rise: Sharad Pawar

Under fire over spiralling prices, Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar today denied reports that the prime minister has sought an explanation from his ministry on the issue of price rise.

"I have read newspaper reports on this (explanation by prime minister), but there is nothing of this sort," he told media persons on the sidelines of the national launch programme of core banking solutions for the urban co-operative banks.

Escalating prices of vegetables was mainly responsible for the steep rise in food inflation, which shot up to 12.13%  for the week ended December 11, he said.

"Inflation had come down from 18% to 11%, and only now it has reached 12% due to vegetable prices," he said, replying to a query on how long people will have to fight with high inflation.

Pawar attributed the hike in vegetable prices to extensive damage to standing crops at several places due to unexpected rains this year.

"Unexpected rains hit many places due to which there has been extensive damage to the crops. I don't know whether this was due to climate change."

Over one month ago we thought that prices of vegetables, including onion, were going to fall. But in the meantime, due to incessant rains crop of onions and other vegetables got extensively damaged, the Minister said.

"In such a situation, a temporary problem has arisen, especially in Maharashtra and Karnataka, which were to supply 40% of the onion requirement this month," he said.