New Delhi, January 25: Refusing to be drawn into a controversy over the remarks of Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar about collective responsibility of the cabinet on the pricing policy, the Congress Monday said the minister has only emphasized the constitutional position.
Reponding to queries on Pawar’s remarks that the cabinet, including the prime minister, together decided the price policy, Congress spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said the union minister “had not held anyone responsible for price rise”.
“It is a constitutional position that the cabinet works collectively,” he said.
Ahmed also sought to partially pass the blame for price rise on states, saying they have to work with the central government to keep prices in check.
“The Congress wants that ministries and state governments should make collective efforts to check price rise,” he said, adding that it was the states’ responsibilty to prevent black-marketing and hoarding.
Pawar said in Pune Sunday that any decision related to prices of commodities was taken by the union cabinet, including the prime minister.
—Agencies