Reduce my work load, Pawar tells PM

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to reduce his ministerial work load. Pawar assumed charge as president of the International Cricket Council last week. He holds additional charge of the food and consumer affairs and public distribution departments.

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Monday asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to reduce his ministerial work load.

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Pawar, who assumed charge as president of the International Cricket Council last week, met the prime minister and made the request. He holds additional charge of the food and consumer affairs and public distribution departments.

"I have met the prime minister today (Monday) and asked him to reduce my burden. I want to devote time to my party work," Pawar, also chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), told reporters.

The prime minister assured him that the matter would be discussed with him at "appropriate time".

However, Pawar refused to specify what kind of measure he expects for reducing his work burden.

"That is for the prime minister to decide," Pawar said. Currently, KV Thomas is the only minister of state to assist him in both the ministries.

Pawar, who came under fire from the opposition in parliament over the rising food prices, said he had asked the prime minister six months ago to relieve him of some of his ministerial duties.