Date:07/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/07/stories/2007090761621300.htm

National

Congress defensive on wheat imports

Gargi Parsai

NEW DELHI: Even as the Left parties and the Janata Dal (United) have raised objections to the latest government move for import of 7.95 lakh tonnes of wheat at Rs. 16 per kg, the Congress appeared ill-prepared with its response on Thursday and directed all questions to Union Agriculture and Food Minister Sharad Pawar.

Separately, while demanding higher support price of wheat for domestic farmers, JD (U) President Sharad Yadav said his party would block imported wheat from entering the country at Mundra port in Gujarat by burning the stocks. On Wednesday, the CPI (M) had asked the government to stop wheat imports.

During the All India Congress Committee briefing on the import, Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said, “these were earlier contracts that were being implemented now.” However, when journalists persisted with questions like why the Congress-led UPA Government that came to power on the farmers’ issues, was subsidising foreign farmers when plenty of wheat was available in the country, he said the party would come with its response on Friday.