New Delhi: Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who is receiving flak over rotting of foodgrains, on Wednesday faced pressure from Congress leaders who said the Supreme Court has passed a directive on the matter and the minister will have to take action accordingly.
"What stronger message than Supreme Court (directive on the issue of rotting of foodgrains)? Supreme Court has spoken (that) you take action and I think he (Pawar) has admitted that he will take action," Science and Technology Minister Prithviraj Chavan told Times Now.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said that no nation can afford rotting of foodgrains and said she was quite sure that "something will emerge".
"No nation can afford its foodgrain to rot. (It) should not be. It's not affordable. And, therefore, let all come to consensus. I am quite sure that since so much interest has been taken on this issue, something will emerge," she said.
"It's a policy matter. Let the government decide," Dikshit said.
Speaking on the issue, senior BJP leader Ravishankar Prasad said the "misery" was the result of the gross mismanagement of food economy of the country and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should take the responsibility apart from the NCP chief.
"Misery is because of the gross mismanagement of food economy of the country. And not only Pawar but Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will also have to take the responsibility," he said.
CPI leader Brinda Karat hoped that Pawar will not now supply "contaminated foodgrains in the name of implementing the order" of the Supreme Court. PTI
