MP to raise ''substandard'' wheat issue at Centre

Bhopal, Jan 14 (UNI) Expressing anger over supply of imported ''substandard'' red wheat to Madhya Pradesh under the Public Distribution System, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said he would raise the matter during his New Delhi visit on January 22 and demand immediate cessation of such supply.

During a sudden inspection of the Food Corporation of India's godown by Chhola Road here, the chief minister took stock of wheat and rice samples.

''Purchase of such wheat at high price indicates a scam. The Centre will be urged to send wheat that is worthy of consumption.

Lakhs of tonnes of grain were allotted to Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh while only 66,000 tonnes were allotted to Madhya Pradesh in a stepmotherly manner,'' he said.

Mr Chouhan later told reporters that the state government would also write to the Centre.

''A demand will be made to hike Madhya Pradesh's Below Poverty Line and Above Poverty Line quotas. The red wheat was purchased at Rs 14 per kg while its domestic counterpart is bought at Rs 8.50. I will take a sample to Delhi and show it to the Union food minister,'' he added.

Mr Chouhan later inspected the Mamta Mahila Prathmik Sahkari Upbhokta Samiti, Shivnagar and the Ekta Mahila Sahkari Upbhokta Bhandar, Damkheda.

He directed the collector to seek a clarification, from officials concerned, on why the two places were not inspected on schedule.

The collector was also directed to submit a report on the inspection status and stock distribution after examining local ration shops' past six months' records.

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