No proposal to present separate budget for agriculture: Pawar

Belgaum, Feb 12 (PTI) The central government is notconsidering presenting a separate budget for agriculture,Union Minister Sharad Pawar said today.

It was not possible for the Government to go in forpresentation of a separate budget for agriculture, theAgriculture Minister told reporters after laying thefoundation stone for the ''K.L.E. Cancer Hospital and ResearchCentre'' here.

Pawar''s reaction came in response to a question whetherthe Union Government will adopt the model of the Karnatakagovernment which is all set to give the state''s first everagriculture budget on February 24.

The Government has taken up a project to build newwarehouses to create storing facility for additional 2.15 lakhtonnes of foodgrains and is encouraging food processingindustries to benefit farmers, he said.

Commenting on the issue of sugar decontrol, Pawar saidmost of the states were not agreeing but added the governmentwas pursuing the matter.

On the political situation in Goa, he said NCP has askedGoa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat to drop one of his partyministers and induct another.

"If this (dropping and induction) is not possible, thendrop both ministers -- Jose Philip D''Souza and NilkantHalarnkar and NCP would give outside support to the Congress,"Pawar said.

The NCP is facing a political turmoil after the twoMinisters refused to quit the Digambar Kamat cabinet, despitebeing directed by the party president Sharad Pawar.

The NCP is a constituent of Goa''s ruling Congress-ledcoalition.