Had proposed to PM to relieve me of Food portfolio: Pawar

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said he had proposed to PM Manmohan Singh to relieve him of the food portfolio which was vetoed by him.

Pune: Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who
until recently drew flak for hike in prices of essential
commodities, on Friday said he had proposed to Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh to relieve him of the food portfolio which was
vetoed by him.

"I had told the Prime Minister to relieve me of sugar
and food department but he did not agree. Singh told me that I
have to look after this if he was to get sound sleep," Pawar
said while addressing a function of Maharashtra State Sugar
Cooperative Federation here.

Pawar said the sugar sector was facing certain
problems and assured central support to cane growers in their
justified demands.

PTI