SC reorders Pawar to distribute grain for free

New Delhi, Aug 31: Supreme Court on Tuesday, Aug 31, ordered Agriculture Minister, Sharad Pawar to distribute the rotten grain among the poor for free.

"Free of cost distribution of food grain was a part of the order and was not an observation," said the court to the agriculture ministry official.

Without taking the Pawar's name directly, the court stated, "It was not a suggestion. It is there in our order. You tell the minister. Give it to the hungry poor instead of it (grains) going down the drain."

The agricultural minister on Aug 19 said that cost free distribution of rotten grains among the poor was not possible.

Reacting to an apex court's order, Pawar said, "Distributing grains for free will not be possible. The Supreme Court said that the Government should consider whether they can give it at a lower rate or for free to the poor."

The Supreme Court also slammed Pawar by saying, "ministry is very quick to declare that sugar prices are going to increase."

The court also asked the Central Government to conduct a fresh survey to identify the number of families living below poverty line (BPL).

OneIndia News