Modi speaks on meat export 'subsidy'; Pawar counters him.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi yesterday once again raised the issue of "subsidy" on meat exports, but Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar countered it, saying no such concession is being given by the Central
government.

Modi and Pawar were present at the unveiling of National Dairy Plan under the Mission Milk. The mission, touted as second white revolution, aims to augment the production of milk to meet its raising demand.

"I am concerned about the UPA government encouraging 'pink revolution'. By pink revolution I mean encouraging
export of mutton and also subsiding it," Modi said from the dais.

Subsidising meat has also affected milk production of the country as animals get killed for their meat without any
proper curbs, he said. There is a "big racket" involving smuggling of cows to Bangladesh, he alleged and said the issue needs serious thinking.

Pawar, reacting to Modi's statement, said after the programme, "The Government of India's meat export policy has not changed since the last 15 to 20 years. There has been no new amendments by the UPA government and there is no concession provided for its exports."

"I am surprised the issue was raised by Modi who spoke of 'pink revolution'. The issue (of subsidy) has never come up before the government in the last seven years."

"I would have given answer to the issue raised by Modi on the dais itself. But I did not do it because I wanted to
maintain dignity of the function which was organised by the Government of India where he (Modi) was invited as a guest. Guests can raise their concerns from the dais," Pawar said.

Earlier this month at a public meeting in Rajkot, Modi had said the UPA government was taxing cotton export while giving subsidy on meat exports.

Union Commerce Minister Anand Sharma had termed Modi's remark as "unwarranted" and bereft of facts.

Source : timesnow.tv