2G reports bringing disrepute to India: Pawar

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Saturday said repeated reports on the 2G spectrum allocation were a matter of great concern, as these were bringing disrepute to India at the international level.

"The reports on 2G allocation are demoralising investors and seriously affecting the investment climate in the country. The real challenge is to revive investment, which will give a boost to the investors," he told Business Standard.

Pawar, who is the president of Nationalist Congress Party, an ally of the UPA, however, said India has a golden opportunity to take advantage of the present global situation, especially in the US and in Europe.

"We can produce more and enter in a big way in the international markets, especially in the US and in Europe. Amid a weakening rupee, exporters can take advantage by exporting more to the global markets," he said.

Pawar, who has recently been appointed to head an empowered group of ministers to formulate manufacturing policy, claimed the 2G spectrum allocation has been blown out of proportion. "Making allegations against A or B or against the finance and home ministers is unfair. There is no iota of truth, and once the facts emerge, we will get a clear picture," he noted. Pawar strongly justified the Congress party's move to support Mukherjee and Chidambaram and said the issue of finance ministry's note was over after Mukherjee issued a clarification.

Pawar hit out against the BJP's statement that soon the cabinet meeting would be held inside Tihar jail, where the former Telecom Minister, A Raja, and others accused in the 2G spectrum scam were locked in. He also attacked BJP for its repeated demand for Chidambaram’s resignation.

Pawar ruled out the possibility of a mid-term poll and said the UPA II would complete its tenure. "Nobody in the present parliament is keen to face a mid-term poll," he added.