BJP to file petition with NHRC on wheat issue tomorrow

Nashik, Oct 8 (UNI) Senior BJP leader and former MP Kirit Somaiya today said his party will file a petition with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) at New Delhi tomorrow, regarding the import of inferior quality of wheat from foreign countries and its distribution through public distribution system (PDS) across the state.

''Despite being remarked as 'not fit for human consumption' by the government laboratory, the Food Corporation of India (FCI), the Maharashtra and Union governments have been still distributing the poor quality of imported wheat. Out of the total 265 samples taken by the state government, 229 have been tested positive,'' Mr Somaiya told reporters here today.

Therefore, the BJP demands complete cessation of the distribution of this wheat,'' he said.

Besides him, Mr Somaiya said other petitioners include MPs Hansraj Ahir, D B Patil and Shishupal Patle. They will also meet FCI and the Food and Public Distribution Ministry officials in Delhi.

He said a party delegation, led by state president Nitin Gadkari, will meet Maharashtra Governor in Mumbai on Thursday and present him the samples of the wheat.

Criticising the double standards of the Central Government, he said ''On the one hand, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar says that the import of wheat will slow down, while on the contrary, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee says the government will import 10 lakh ton more wheat to meet the needs of the 'buffer stock'.'' Mr Somaiya said the party will intensify its agitation against the import and distribution of wheat. The action plan for which will be discussed at the three-day state executive meet, to be held at Aurangabad, from October 14.

Till now, 70 lakh ton of wheat has been imported and there are plans to import another 35 lakh ton wheat. This is nearly Rs 3,000 crore scam, he said, adding that the government should go public as to from where the wheat was imported, when did it arrive and what action had it taken regarding its quality? He also demanded a CBI inquiry into the scam.

UNI