Kharif output seen down 10 per cent: Food Minister

Government has released the preliminary estimates for the Kharif season which shows that output could be down by 10 per cent. However, KV Thomas, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution says that output in staples like wheat and rice is likely to be largely on par with last year. He does expect a shortfall in pulses and oilseeds output but adds that the government is making efforts to increase imports to address the shortfall.