Even as main opposition BJP stepped-up its attack by demanding CBI inquiry in the alleged ?wheat import scam of Rs 1,200 crore?, the government on Friday, while rejecting the allegations, made it clear that it would go ahead with the grain purchase to build a comfortable buffer stock.
?We will continue to buy wheat to augment the buffer stock and for that matter even the so-called experts did not forsee the sudden rise in international prices of wheat that made the purchases more expensive?, a senior food ministry official said.
Giving reasons for canceling an earlier tender, under which it received offers for supply at 263 dollars a tonne, and now deciding to buy the foodgrain at 325 dollars a tonne for import of 511,000 tonne under a new tender, the official said the prices shot up after a lower global forecast made by United States Department of Agriculture.
The BJP, however, alleged that what was the necessity for the government to declare its intention to import five million tones of wheat so early in March, when prices in the world market were on the high, knowing well that the announcement would work as a trigger to price rise.
?It is clear that the UPA government has bungled badly and many vested interests have played their part in the scam. This has put unnecessary burden on the nation. It will also work against the interests of the domestic farmers and consumers as well. A CBI inquiry is imperative,? BJP spokesperson Prakash javedkar said.
Moreover, the government contended that there was a very transparent policy in place and the decision not to buy at 263 dollars a tonne then was taken after consulting various quarters. It also added that the government could not wait indefinitely on importing wheat as it involved the question of food security.