New Delhi, Dec 05: Government today said subsidy in agriculture and farming sectors was well within permissible limits and India was under no pressure from developed nations either to reduce or end the subsidy. Replying to supplementaries during question hour in Lok Sabha, commerce and industry Minister Arun Jaitley said, "Though subsidies in the agri sector were within limits but it depends on the financial position of the country to see whether we can give these subsidies."

The minister said government took views of all stakeholders including different ministries, trade unions, political parties and NGOs before participating at the ministerial conference on WTO.

As far as safeguarding developing countries' interest is concerned, Jaitley said a group of 21 nations, called G-21, was formed to voice dismay at attempts by the US and the EC to continue with distortions in the agriculture trading system while demanding large market access from developing countries. He said a meeting in this regard would take place in Brazil to be followed by senior official-level meeting on December 15 at Geneva to enable successful and timely conclusion of the negotiations.

Bureau Report