Click to play videoWashington DC: Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has strongly defended the UPA Government's policies, from the hike in petroleum prices to wheat imports.
"The step would adversely affect India's farming community and the common man, but it was essential for the long-term health of the oil companies and the economy," Pawar said.
Speaking at the Indian Embassy in Washington DC, at the end of his four-day visit to the United States, he said, the petrol price hike was an essential step by the Government.
"If corrective measures were not taken courageously, the oil companies and country's economy would soon come to a halt," Pawar said.
"There is no choice but to take this decision. It is our responsibility to explain to the people, the background of this decision. I'm confident, in the end, people will understand," Pawar added.
On the controversial decision to import three-and-half million tonnes of wheat, the minister argued the move was only a temporary phenomenon.
Giving assurances about the country's food security, he said, the decision was aimed at replenishing the existing buffer stock of grains.
"This year country's production is a little better than last year. It was only because we could not procure, that we had to take this decision. About production, there is no problem in India," he added.
Tenders for the procurement would be released this month, Pawar said. On a lighter note, he added that he expected exports of Indian mangoes to the US to begin by the next mango season.
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