Govt keen on common mkt regulator

The government is looking into all aspects of proposed convergence of commodity and securities market and installing a common regulator, and "It would take some time before a conclusion is arrived at," union agriculture and consumer affairs minister Sharad Pawar said on Monday.

 "The convergence of the two markets under a common regulator will help in mitigating the risk in the markets, apart from being highly-beneficial for the farmers," Pawar said.

However, many aspects of the convergence have to be studied and examined before a final decision is taken, and this might take some time, he added.

Earlier, finance minister P Chidambaram in his visit to the city had said a common regulator and regulations are needed to be in place for the proposed convergence and added "A committee headed by Sharad Pawar is looking into it".

"Pawar is expected to submit on the convergence shortly," he had said adding his ministry was awaiting Pawar's opinion on the issue, after it was submitted to Parliament.

Pawar, who is also minister for food and public distribution, said the government is planning to call a meeting of various state governments to discuss the disparity in prices of commodities across the country.

"We have scheduled a meeting on November 19 and intend to discuss the disparity in prices, issues regarding supply of the commodities and regulations among others," he said.