Hyderabad, July 11 (TNN): The Union Minister for Agriculture, Mr Sharad Pawar, on Saturday did not foresee any food crisis in the country despite poor monsoon this year.“No doubt the monsoon has failed to set in ontime and the expected scanty rain fall will certainly have its impact on the food grain production in the country. But I do not foresee any food crisis in the country as we have enough stocks of food grain. There is absolutely no fear for any kind of crisis nor there is a need for any concern,” he said after inaugurating the Fish Festival-2009 on the Necklace Road in the city on Saturday. The Union Minister, who is in the city to lay the foundation stone for the National Fisheries Development Board building and also to declare open the fish festival, said that the country has adequate food grain stocks now that will last for the full year. “There is no shortage for food grains now,” he observed.
Admitting that the letter written by the Chief Minister, Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, has reached him, Mr Sharad Pawar said that a decision on vacating the Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns in the State will be taken only after a detailed study on the matter. “We are positively inclined towards the appeal. But a decision will be taken only after a study on the issue,” he observed. Earlier, Mr Pawar has declared open the three-day Fish Festival-2009 and also laid the foundation stone for the National Fisheries Development Board building at People’s Plaza. Different kinds of fish will be on display at the fish festival till July 13.
