Scam behind wheat shortage: Trade Federation

New Delhi, Jun 22 (UNI) The Federation of All India Traders' Association today demanded a probe by a parliamentary committee into what it termed was an ''artificial shortage'' of wheat in the country.

In letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Public Accounts Committee Chairman Vijay Kumar Malhotra, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and leaders of other parties, FAITA General Secretary Ram Bhagat Gupta spoke of a scam behind the shortage of wheat and the resulting price spiral.

An artificial shortage of wheat had been created by a lobby which ensured that about 30 lakh metric tonnes of the produce was declared unsuitable for public consumption, he said, arguing that further imports may not help rein in prices.

The wheat was of good quality but was declared unsuitable for public distribution after testing at FCI quality control department at the instance of the lobby, Mr Gupta claimed.

''This material was categorised into 'B', 'C', 'D', 'E' and 'F' grades and was issued at a price of Rs 200 to Rs 400 per quintal to interested parties,'' he maintained.

He expressed surprise that the Government decision to import wheat was taken very soon after the Prime Minister was quoted as having told reporters that there was no shortage of the produce and that the country had sufficient buffer stock of good quality wheat.

UNI VN ARB DB2057