Bush's remark on Indian food habits "cruel joke": Antony

Defence Minister A K Antony today termed US President George W Bush's contention as a "cruel joke"

Thiruvananthapuram: Defence Minister A K Antony today termed US President George W Bush's contention as a "cruel joke", that says that the growing demand for foodgrains in India was the reason for spiralling global food prices.

Large scale conversion of agriculture land for commercial and bio-fuel cultivation purposes have resulted in food shortage at the global level, Antony told reporters in the city.

"Policies of USA are also responsible for foodgrain shortage," the minister added. Those who criticise should not set apart agriculture land for other purposes. The countries, including America, should rectify their mistakes, he said.

However, it is true that production of rice and wheat have come down in the country resulting in shortage of these items, Antony said on the sidelines of a convention. (PTI)

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