Ruckus in LS on wheat import
Tribune News Service and agencies

NEW DELHI, Dec 3 — The Congress today charged the Government with allowing "scandalous and reckless" import of wheat this year despite surplus availability in the country and demanded that a House Committee, comprising members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, be constituted to inquire into what they described as the "wheat scam".

However, the Union Agriculture Minister, Mr Nitish Kumar, responding to the issue raised by the Congress during zero hour in the Lok Sabha held that the wheat import was the result of the liberalisation policy initiated by the Congress Government and the commitment given by it to the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT).

With the government giving no commitment on the setting up of an enquiry committee, the House was plunged into turmoil for about half-an-hour and the Congress members along with those from the Rashtriya Janata Dal and Muslim League walked out of the Lok Sabha.

Raising the issue during zero hour, Mr Scindia said the government had continued to import wheat worth crores at rates higher than the international market price and alleged that there was collusion between the government and middlemen under pressure of lobbies.

The import of the commodity continued for six months beginning from May this year, he said and demanded that the names of all the importers be tabled in the House.

Mr Nitish Kumar said since it was the Congress Government which agreed to allow wheat imports, it should have considered all aspects including the interests of the farmers before agreeing to GATT and giving market access.

He explained that wheat was not being imported for the first time in the country and added that traders were directly importing the commodity.

An RJD leader and former Food Minister, Mr Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, and Muslim League member, Mr G.M. Banatwala, supported the Congress demand and joined the walkout.

The Heavy Industries Minister, Mr Manohar Joshi, while sharing the members concern tried to pacify them that it was not possible for the Government to reply to issues raised by them during zero hour. He said they could raise the issue through other means and the government would respond.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr P.M. Sayeed, pointed out that he could not compel the Government to respond during zero hour.

Mr Scindia alleged "scandalous and reckless import of wheat worth crores of rupees" between May and September this year at rates higher than the international market price despite adequate stocks within the country and ‘alarming notes’ by the Food Corporation of India. He alleged collusion between the government and middlemen under pressure of lobbies, and wanted a house committee to probe the issue.

Mr Kumar’s assertion that the government had in fact imposed import duty on wheat, and Mr Joshi’s assurance that he would refer the matter with the minister concerned and members could raise the issue in an appropriate manner did not pacify members. Mr Vijay Goel (BJP) was heard saying that there was no need to pursue the matter as the ministers had replied.