Paswan plays down grain ‘scam’

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 27

Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan faced a volley of question about the Rs 12,000-crore foodgrain ‘scam’ and suicides by farmers here today.

Paswan, who holds the portfolio of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, said the ‘scam’ was nothing but the outcome of discrepancies in disbursement and the hefty bank interest on loans that continued to pile up for over a decade.

“From the Centre’s side, I can say that we do not owe a penny to any farmer. We purchase produce from the farmers as per the minimum support price (MSP) and disburse almost the entire amount,” he said.

Accompanied by BJP MP Giriraj Singh, Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan was here to list achievements of the Modi government over the past two years.

About farmer suicides, he blamed the Congress for playing spoilsport in the implementation of farmer-friendly schemes. He said the farmers’ plight was due to heavy debt and absence of an international platform for them to sell their produce.

“The Congress puts hurdles when we talk of implementing the GST (goods and service tax) Bill or bring in APM Terminals agreement to allow farmers to sell their produce in the open market. Until these provisions are implemented, farmers’ plight will not improve,” he said.

On inflation, he said the prices of essential commodities, except for pulses, were under control. “The difference between the demand and supply of pulses is high, which has led to a rise in their prices. So, we had to import pulses through private parties at heavy prices,” he claimed.

Referring to the recent murder of LJP leader Sudesh Paswan and his brother in Bihar’s Gaya district, Paswan alleged that the law and order situation was deteriorating in the state. He demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the imposition of President’s Rule in Bihar.