BJP seeks CBI probe into wheat import deal
The BJP on Thursday rubbished agriculture minister Sharad Pawar’s charges that NDA government’s wrong policies led to wheat scarcity and pressed for a CBI probe into the “wheat import scam”.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: The BJP on Thursday rubbished agriculture minister Sharad Pawar’s charges that NDA government’s wrong policies led to wheat scarcity and pressed for a CBI probe into the “wheat import scam”.
“I just want to tell Pawar that levelling allegations against others would not absolve you of your sin,” party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told reporters. He was responding to Pawar’s statement in Mumbai earlier in the day that the “wrong policies” of the NDA government had led to wheat scarcity, prompting the UPA government to decide on importing it.
There was record production, procurement and even export of wheat during NDA’s tenure, he claimed and alleged that there were “irregularities” in the government’s decision to import wheat and it should be probed.
“We reiterate our demand for a CBI investigation into the wheat import scam,” he said.
Apparently aiming at expanding its presence in the rice- growing south Indian states, the BJP also demanded an increase in the minimum support price for paddy to Rs 1,000 per quintal to make it at par with wheat. Javadekar accused the government of discriminating against paddy growers and fudging data to show that the cost of production of paddy was low in the last two years.
“The step-motherly treatment meted out to paddy growers is a matter of real concern,” he said. He said a high-level delegation of BJP leaders will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh next week seeking an increase in the MSP for paddy.
“I just want to tell Pawar that levelling allegations against others would not absolve you of your sin,” party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told reporters. He was responding to Pawar’s statement in Mumbai earlier in the day that the “wrong policies” of the NDA government had led to wheat scarcity, prompting the UPA government to decide on importing it.
There was record production, procurement and even export of wheat during NDA’s tenure, he claimed and alleged that there were “irregularities” in the government’s decision to import wheat and it should be probed.
“We reiterate our demand for a CBI investigation into the wheat import scam,” he said.
Apparently aiming at expanding its presence in the rice- growing south Indian states, the BJP also demanded an increase in the minimum support price for paddy to Rs 1,000 per quintal to make it at par with wheat. Javadekar accused the government of discriminating against paddy growers and fudging data to show that the cost of production of paddy was low in the last two years.
“The step-motherly treatment meted out to paddy growers is a matter of real concern,” he said. He said a high-level delegation of BJP leaders will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh next week seeking an increase in the MSP for paddy.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
