Thaindian News

New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar reportedly came in for criticism at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting here Friday with some members raising questions over his remarks about the rising prices of commodities.
Party sources said though no member named Pawar directly, they said his remarks in the past about the possibility of rise in prices of some commodities were unwarranted and were against the government’s thrust on giving a sense of reassurance to people.

According to the sources, some Congress chief ministers complained about the functioning of the Food Corporation of India and said there were problems in delivery of food stocks meant for economically weaker sections.

Replying to queries after the meeting, party general secretary Janardan Dwivedi, however, denied reports that some CWC members had suggested bifurcation of portfolios of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Affairs held by Pawar.

The meeting of CWC, which is the highest decision making body of the Congress, primarily focused on price rise. The CWC meeting was attended by senior party leaders including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

In the past, Congress had indicated that it was not happy with remarks of Pawar on possibility of increase in prices due to gaps in demand and supply, and noted it was the task of ministers to not only mention problems but to also find solutions.

Facing the heat, Pawar, who heads the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) had struck back, saying that all decisions on price policy had been taken by the cabinet collectively with consent of the prime minister.