The government told the National Assembly on Friday that agriculture sector would be provided incentives to increase indigenous production of edible oil as this was the only way to address the rising prices of ghee and cooking oil. Minister for Ports and Shipping Naveed Qamar said that cooking oil and ghee prices were increasing in Pakistan owing to high palm oil cost in the international marker. The local production of oilseeds would be increased with special focus on coastal areas to become less dependent on import of palm oil, he added. The prices of palm oil had increased by 110 per cent during last few years, going up from $574 to $1020 but the government compensated the poor by providing oil and ghee at subsidised rates through Utility Stores Corporation. The minister, however, admitted that ghee/oil being sold at USC was not fit for human consumption while responding to a question of Shakeela Khanam Rashid who wanted to know about total production and consumption of edible and measures taken by the government to control the price-hike. The prices of vegetable ghee and oil have doubled since last budget after regular increase, a major concern for every household. There was no other way except increasing indigenous production of edible oil to control prices escalated by high cost of edible oil in the international market, he said. The minister apprised the House that total edible oil production was 2.9 million tons in 2006-07 against total consumption of 2.7 million while the remaining was exported to Afghanistan. The government, he said, would encourage converting of vehicles on CNG keeping in view it did not create shortage of gas supply. "We will consider all aspects before taking any decision," he responded to a questioner while referring to previous government who according to him set up industrial units but did nothing for power supply to them. Water and Power Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said that $721.5 million were earned from tourism industry badly affected by the law and order situation in the country during last eight years. The minister said according to WTO definition, every person who comes into Pakistan on other than Pakistani passport is considered as a tourist. So it was not necessarily all those who had visited during 2005-07 were tourists. Education Minister Ahsan Iqbal told the House that the government was reviewing education policy in consultation with provinces and all stakeholders to make it in line with modern requirements. "Our national failure is also reflected from our education policy," he said. The minister said that efforts would be made for adopting a uniform education system in the country by 2010. Copyright Business Recorder, 2008