It was in January this year that Thomas was given independent charge of the Food portfolio after Pawar requested that his burden be reduced.
Links:
[1] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/news/what-comes-agriculture-or-food
[2] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/author/ravish-tiwari
[3] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/newspaper/indian-express-new-delhi
[4] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/agriculture
[5] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/food-security
[6] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/ministry-consumer-affairs-food-and-public-distribution
[7] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/ministry-agriculture
[8] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/india
[9] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/legislation