BJP demands CBI probe into wheat imports

Mumbai, Sep 5 (UNI) BJP general secretary Gopinath Munde today demanded a CBI inquiry into the alleged ''wheat scam'' wherein large quantities of the grain tere imported despite the country having sufficient stocks of the commodity.

Speaking after releasing a booklet entitled, ''Dal mein kala, gehu ghotala'', prepared by former BJP Member of Parliament Kirit Somaiya on the same issue, he questioned the logic behind importing wheat when the country already had sufficient quantity of the same.

Because of this move, he said, India has come to be projected as a ''wheat importing nation''.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Somaiya accused Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar of being hand in gloves with multinational companies, and alleged that Rs 125 crore were paid in excess for the imports.

Meanwhile, Mr Somaiya also demanded that cotton farmers should be paid at the rate of Rs 2700 per quintal for their produce.

UNI