Ready to discuss price rise issue if Oppn allows: Pawar

NEW DELHI: Drawing flak from various quarters for the stiff rise in commodity prices, Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today said that he is ready for a discussion in Parliament, if only the Opposition allows it.

"I waited yesterday and I am ready even today for the discussion (on the price rise). But the Parliament proceedings should go on," Pawar told reporters on the sidelines of an ICAR conference here.

"During the last session, I went continuously for seven days to discuss on the price rise issue and now, I don't know for how many days I have to go to the Parliament and wait for the discussion to take place," he added.

Meanwhile, proceedings of the Rajya Sabha were stalled for the second consecutive day today, with the Opposition persisting in its demand for discussion on the price rise issue under a rule that entails voting.

This was countered by the ruling benches. Food inflation, meanwhile, stood at 12.47 per cent for the week ended July 10.

Pawar claimed that foodgrain and vegetable prices were coming down. The minister also said that backed by a good monsoon, the area coverage had gone up this year -- something that would certainly result into an "exceptionally well production".

"This year, there will be exceptionally well production, as, by and large, the monsoon report is very good. There were less rains in certain parts of the country, but it has improved in those areas as well," Pawar said.