Q: So you agree that UPA will get political benefit from Food Security Bill in upcoming elections.
Tariq Anwar: Definitely. The govt will definitely get political benefit if it works for the weaker and neglected sections of the society. And we have seen it happening in many states ruled by both UPA allies as well as opposition parties. The governments have retained power because they work in the interest of people.
Q: Suppose the Food Security Bill is passed in the parliament. How would you ensure its successful implementation given the fact that that the machinery responsible for implementation is not well-oiled? You know it very well that even PDS is not working properly in majority of the states barring a few exceptions.
Tariq Anwar: This is a valid question. The main responsibility for implementation lies with the states. It will be our endeavor to ensure that the machinery functions efficiently. For this, we'll try for better coordination with states. We'll also put all possible pressure on states for its successful implementation. Even the states will get credit for its successful implementation.
Q: The rate of onion has touched Rs 60 per kg in Delhi. Being the minister of agriculture and food processing, how would you explain it?
Tariq Anwar: we were exporting onions on large scale till sometime back. Now what has happened is that the delivery of onions from regions like Nashik and Rajasthan is yet to begin. The middlemen try to take advantage of all this and there is a need to be tough with them. Tackling middlemen is the main responsibility of states. And the price of onion is higher in Delhi only and the case is not the same in other states. Sheila Dikshit, the Delhi CM, has already said that if the middlemen fail to mend their ways then the Delhi govt will open its own stalls the way it did it in the past. Anyways, the moment delivery starts from onion hubs like Nashik, price will go down.
Q: Prices of food items have gone up across the country and the people are reeling under high inflation. What is the govt doing?
Tariq Anwar: I agree inflation rate has gone up slightly but it's helping farmers in one sense. We should also ensure that they get good return on their investment. They should not suffer loss; else nobody will be interested in agriculture as a profession.
Q: In March, you had made a statement in parliament with regard to agriculture's share in GDP. In 2009-10 it was 14.6 %, in 2010-11 it came down to 14.5 %, in 2011-12 it further declined to 14.1 % and in 2012-13, it's expected to go down to 13.7 %. What are you doing to check this decline?
Tariq Anwar: You are right and I agree that the govt needs to check it especially after the advent of Food security Bill. In this budget we have taken some measures and it's our endeavor to pay more attention to agriculture sector.
