கோதுமை ஊழல். சரத்பவார் மறுப்பு

சரத்பவாரது விவசாய துறையில் இருக்கும் குளறுபடிகள், மாட்டுத்தீவன கோதுமை எல்லா எதிர்கட்சிகளையும் உரத்தகுரலில் பேச வைத்திருக்கின்றன.

பாரதிய ஜனதா கட்சியும் இடதுசாரிகளும் இதனை தீவிரமாக கையில் எடுத்துள்ளனர்

சரத்பவார் சமாளிக்க முயல்கிறார்

Sharad Pawar denies allegations of ‘wheat scam’

CNN-IBN


Published on Friday , October 05, 2007 at 01:08 in Nation section

New Delhi: Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar is under fire from the Opposition and the Left parties. He has written a personal letter to all members of Parliament a fortnight ago explaining the decision to import wheat. But Brinda Karat gave a point-by-point rebuttal to Pawar’s letter, pushing the NCP chief further on the backfoot.


The BJP also followed up its drive against the agriculture minister by approaching Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) Pratyush Sinha and submitting documents claiming that “wrong-doing” had been perpetrated in the entire episode.


Speaking to CNN-IBN Pawar clarified his stand on the allegations surrounding wheat imports and the poor support price being offered to the Indian farmers for the food grain.


Q: Mr pawar what is the reason behind bad quality wheat, completely unfit for consumption, being imported in large quantities from Australia at nearly double the price?


Sharad Pawar: Red wheat is essentially grown in Russia, Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Australian wheat is exactly like Indian wheat but it’s not red wheat.


Q: Alright. But is there anything that your ministry can do to help the people who are being forced to eat poor quality wheat?

Sharad Pawar: After seeing your programme, we instructed FCI, MP people to go and inspect the godown and shops and collect proper information and report it to us immediately


Q: Leave aside where the wheat has been imported from, the biggest criticism is that you are giving the Indian farmers support price of Rs 850 whereas you are willing to give importers nearly double the price. Why not give Indian farmers a valid market price?

Sharad Pawar: Rs 850 is a much higher price in the history of independence India. But since domestic and international prices are going high and we have to give better price than last year, we will appropriate decisions in 8 days time.


Q: So are you saying that within 8-days you will take an appropriate decision. But will you reverse the policy and stop all imports as well now?


Sharad Pawar: No, I can’t say that. I am not in a position to give an assurance because our first responsibility is to protect interests of vulnerable sections of society and we are not in a position to compromise on the issue of food security


Q: Are you willing to change your support price?


Sharad Pawar: You see, that decision will be taken in cabinet and I cannot disclose unless decision is taken, but I can tell you one thing, recommendation from my ministry will be much more than what we paid last year.