'Coalition politics slowing down agricultural reforms'
Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Thursday said compulsions of multi-party government were obstructing agricultural reforms like abolition of a law that regulates where farmers must sell their produce.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Thursday said compulsions of multi-party government were obstructing agricultural reforms like abolition of a law that regulates where farmers must sell their produce.
"In fact, I will be happy to take this type of bold decision. But in the present environment of Parliament, it is not that simple. Any government which is depending on Left or Right, it has some limitations," he said at an agriculture conference organised by industry chamber FICCI here.
Referring to the demand for abolition of the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act, Pawar said: "There are certain decisions which we would like to take, but unless and until the composition of Parliament is changed... which is not that easy."
The APMC Act specifies that farmers should sell their produce in select government-identified markets, although some states have now eased this provision.
"Still, we have succeeded in convincing 18 states to amend the APMC Act while there is no such Act in 7 states."
On the ban on certain commodities in the futures market, the minister said price rise is not due to futures trading.
"I was fully convinced that (futures trading) is not the reason for higher prices. Price rise is a different issue. There is mismatch between demand and supply. Futures is not responsible for this price rise."
Pawar said a sizable section in Parliament, irrespective of political parties, was insisting on the ban on trading of wheat, rice and pulses in the commodity futures.
"It is difficult to convince a sizable section in the Parliament," he said, adding that some of the items which were available for NCDEX and other agencies have been withdrawn as there was a demand for it.
"In fact, I will be happy to take this type of bold decision. But in the present environment of Parliament, it is not that simple. Any government which is depending on Left or Right, it has some limitations," he said at an agriculture conference organised by industry chamber FICCI here.
Referring to the demand for abolition of the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act, Pawar said: "There are certain decisions which we would like to take, but unless and until the composition of Parliament is changed... which is not that easy."
The APMC Act specifies that farmers should sell their produce in select government-identified markets, although some states have now eased this provision.
"Still, we have succeeded in convincing 18 states to amend the APMC Act while there is no such Act in 7 states."
On the ban on certain commodities in the futures market, the minister said price rise is not due to futures trading.
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"I was fully convinced that (futures trading) is not the reason for higher prices. Price rise is a different issue. There is mismatch between demand and supply. Futures is not responsible for this price rise."
Pawar said a sizable section in Parliament, irrespective of political parties, was insisting on the ban on trading of wheat, rice and pulses in the commodity futures.
"It is difficult to convince a sizable section in the Parliament," he said, adding that some of the items which were available for NCDEX and other agencies have been withdrawn as there was a demand for it.
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