UPA Govt has caused food crisis: JD(U)

Bangalore, Oct 7 (UNI) Janata Dal (United) leader and former Union Minister Digvijay Singh today accused the UPA Government at the Centre of causing a national crisis by mishandling the food sector.

Speaking to reporters here, he alleged that the ''directionless'' Union Government due to its ''lopsided policies'' had caused great concern with regard to the country's food security. Due to its ''inept'' handling of grain stocks and ''anti-farmer'' policies, the country was forced to import wheat. While it paid Rs 700 per quintal of wheat to the Indian farmer, it was importing Australian wheat at Rs 1,200, he claimed.

Mr Singh said ''the previous NDA Government had supplied foodgrains free of cost to 44 countries and look where the UPA Government has taken us. This is because of three main policy makers -- Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia who think truck with the US is the only way the country can survive.'' On the reported misunderstanding between JD(U) leader George Fernandes and party President Sharad Yadav, he said it was a media creation and there was no serious difference between the leaders.

''Mr Fernandes will remain in the party as reiterated by him recently in this city. He is the most respected member of the party.

If at all there were some minor differences, it will be ironed out within the party,'' he added.

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