INDIA: As WTO meet draws near, Agriculture Task Force denied extension

The Indian government has decided not to give any further extension to the Agriculture Task Force body, because time in running out in the run-up to the WTO ministerial meet in Qatar. Speaking at the 40th All India Wheat Research Workers Meet , federal agricultural minister Ajit Singh said that he had recommended to the Prime Minister’s Office that no further extension be given. “I am against giving any more extension to ATF,” he stressed, adding that the ATF has already been given two extensions.

August 23, 2001

The Indian government has decided not to give any further extension to the Agriculture Task Force body, because time in running out in the run-up to the WTO ministerial meet in Qatar.

Speaking at the 40th All India Wheat Research Workers Meet, federal agricultural minister Ajit Singh said that he had recommended to the Prime Minister’s Office that no further extension be given. “I am against giving any more extension to ATF,” he stressed, adding that the ATF has already been given two extensions.

The ATF, headed by farmer leader Sharad Joshi, should have submitted its final report to the agriculture ministry so the government could decide which approach to take in the WTO meeting. Since the report has not been completed, however, Singh revealed that, “its interim report will be used for the purpose”.