Pawar statement on sugar prices irresponsible: BJP

BJP termed Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar's recent statement that sugar prices would be high for the next three years as 'irresponsible' and said the party would organise a weeklong nationwide agitation from January 18 against inflation.

BJP on Monday termed Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar's recent statement that sugar prices would be high for the next three years as 'irresponsible' and said the party would organise a weeklong nationwide agitation from January 18 against inflation.

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"Pawar says he is not an astrologer. If that is so, how did he predict about imminent price rise," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said, terming the NCP chief's statement as 'irresponsible.'

Last week, Pawar predicted five times about sugar price rise and prices went up, he said.

"It is the work of a minister to speak on how inflation can be reduced. But the Prime Minister and Finance Minister are only talking about price rise," Javadekar said. "This is one of the reasons for increase in prices," he alleged.

BJP would organise a nationwide agitation from January 18 to 25 against inflation, he said.

Pawar had spoken about sugar prices while speaking at the 53rd annual general body meeting of the Maharashtra State Federation of Co-operative Sugar Factories (Sakhar Sangh) at Manjri-based Vasantdada Sugar Institute, near Pune last week.

Pawar had also blamed 'incorrect information' about availability of sugarcane and likely sugar production for the crushing season 2009-10, provided by sugar factories and the state government to the Centre, for the hike in sugar prices.