"Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar is responsible for the price rise," Singh said while speaking to reporters here.
In 2007-08 there was excess production of sugar in the country and the following year when its production fell, government exported it, leading to its scarcity, he said.
"Pawar this way created scarcity of sugar and now the government is importing raw sugar, which has led to its high prices," he said, adding moreover, his party, NCP, advises people to stop consuming sugar.
NCP's mouthpiece Rashtravadi had yesterday in its editorial said, "no one dies due to not eating sugar. On the other hand, by eating items made from sugar, diabetes increases. So, it is not necessary that everyone consume sugar". "This is indeed positive thinking on part of Pawar. He should come up with such pearls of wisdom on a weekly basis as we don't know how many commodities may become dearer in future and we may have to give them up also," Singh said.
Singh wondered why government was importing raw sugar when there is adequate sugarcane stock available in the country and should have waited for it to get exhausted first. "Government should bridge the wide gap which exists between prices of commodities from the time they leave the fields and reach the markets. Middlemen should be curbed and forward trading should immediately be banned," the RLD chief said. PTI ASI RSH 02091544
"Though price rise is a major issue, the farmers are not benefiting from this as they get a very low price for their produce while the same is sold at urban wholesale markets at much higher prices," Singh said.
Singh said while Left parties are planning an agitation on price rise, his party is also talking to all Opposition parties for garnering support over the issue and put pressure on the government.
"Government only wakes up when there is an agitation and if need arises then we will again gherao Delhi against price rise and over protecting interests of farmers," Singh said. Speaking on the issue of Bt brinjal, the RLD chief said that "though scientific development in agriculture and foodgrains cannot be ignored as it helps in overcoming food scarcity, in the case of Bt brinjal, an independent agency should have tested it".