CPI(M) condemns the import of wheat at high prices

[Press statement issued by the politbureau of the CPI(M) on 5th September, 2007]

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) condemns the decision of the UPA Government to import nearly 8 lakh tonnes of wheat at Rs. 1,600 per quintal.

When the production of wheat increased by 6 million tonnes to nearly 75 million tones this year, there was absolutely no justification for such an import. It will only benefit the MNCs in European countries who have got a lucrative price.

When the peasants' organizations demanded remunerative prices for wheat procurement, the UPA Government fixed only Rs. 850 per quintal though the market price was higher. As a result, the FCI failed to procure sufficient quantity of wheat while private traders could purchase huge quantity and store them in their godowns, creating an artificial scarcity in the country.

Instead of taking stringent actions against unscrupulous traders, the UPA Government resorted to the route of import, which only helped the private traders to make ill-gotten money by boosting the domestic price of wheat.

The Polit Bureau, therefore, while demanding an end to the policy of import of wheat, urges upon the Government to unearth the stock of wheat cornered by the traders and increase the supply of wheat through the PDS. This alone will give relief to the people in the country.