Commerce & Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that India’s position on food security at the World Trade Organisation remains “intact’’ indicating that there has been no softening of its stand.

“Our position remains intact. We will underline the fact that India has a sovereign duty to protect its poor and the sovereign right to hold food grain for that purpose. And therefore our negotiations with WTO will certainly be on reiterating this position,” she said talking to the media on Wednesday.

The Minister’s statement reflects the stand that New Delhi would take at the Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) meeting of the WTO scheduled in Geneva on Thursday, where efforts would be made by the WTO Secretariat and members to break the current deadlock.

Talks are stuck at the WTO as India has refused to sign a protocol on trade facilitation pushed by several members including powerful developed countries till its concerns on dealing with subsidies given on account of food procurement are simultaneously met.

India runs the risk of breaching the cap on food subsidies fixed at 10 per cent of agricultural produce , especially for rice, if steps are not taken to change the way the WTO deals with food procurement programmes.

Jan Dhan forms

On the issue of not enough forms being available for people wanting to apply for Jan Dhan accounts, Sitharaman said that she would talk to the Banking Secretary on the issue.

“Banks have been given instructions to download forms. Because of the banks’ efforts today, so many accounts have been opened till now. If there are any shortcomings, the Government and the banks are ready to resolve it,” she said.

Related Topics