Sharad Pawar, under attack for failing to prevent price rise, has lost charge of Food and Consumer Affairs ministry.
He will however retain charge of the Agricultural ministry as well as get new charge of Food Processing industry.
The shift is seen as a repercussion of the allegations of conflict of interest between Pawar’s role as head of farmers’ association and demands of Consumer Affairs ministry which requires him to bring down prices, including those of agricultural commodities.
Food prices have risen continuously over the last one month despite many attempts to rein them in by Pawar.