Asked PM to relieve me of food portfolio: Pawar

Pune: Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who until recently drew flak for hike in prices of essential commodities, on Friday said he had proposed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to relieve him of the food portfolio which was vetoed by him.

"I had told the Prime Minister to relieve me of sugar and food department but he did not agree. Singh told me that I have to look after this if he was to get sound sleep," Pawar said while addressing a function of Maharashtra State Sugar Cooperative Federation here.

Pawar said the sugar sector was facing certain problems and assured central support to cane growers in their justified demands.