BJP: Pawar should resign over wheat import

The BJP said the UPA Government's agreement with private firms to import 50 lakh MT of wheat smacks of a scam.

"The country fails to understand why in the first place the Government cancelled the tender floated in the month of May for which the price quoted was $263 per MT. The reason cited was that the price quoted was high. If that is so, then how can the UPA Government justify its decision to accept tenders which have quoted between $320 and $360 per MT — a price much higher than the earlier one?" BJP spokesperson Prakash Javdekar asked.

He said the Government's decision would cost the nation an extra Rs 1,400 crore and demanded the resignation of Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar. Javdekar said the untimely announcement about India's decision to go for imports inflated international prices. "Those who are aware of international trade were upset over the Government's unnecessary and untimely announcement of its intention to import 5 lakh MT of wheat in the month of March, which acted as a catalyst for propping up prices. It will be worthwhile to mention that last year the Centre spent $230 for import of wheat," Javdekar added.

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