New Delhi: The newly-elected International Cricket Council (ICC) President and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar met Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Monday and requested him to 'reduce the burden' on him. "I met the Prime Minister today and have requested him to reduce my burden,"
said Pawar, who handles the Agriculture, Food and Consumer Affairs portfolios,
but has only one Minister of State K V Thomas to assist him. On being asked whether
more Ministers should be inducted in his Ministry, Pawar said: "That is up to
him (Prime Minister). It's the prerogative of the Prime Minister. This is for
the Prime Minister to decide. Pawar further said that he had been telling about
this to Dr Singh for the last six months. "I want more time with my party and
ICC and all those stuff. I have agriculture, food and consumer affairs department.
For so many years, I have been in the government," said Pawar. "This year, I will
complete 44 years in Parliament and Assembly and I think 25-26 years in the government.
I need relief," added the 70-year-old leader. Pawar formally took over as the
ICC President on July 1. He is the second Indian after Jagmohan Dalmiya to occupy
the top cricket post.
