Chouhan says red wheat fit for animals, sells it to poor

The Maharashtra Government8217;s decision to dispose of imported red wheat has embarrassed its Madhya Pradesh...

The Maharashtra Government8217;s decision to dispose of imported red wheat has embarrassed its Madhya Pradesh counterpart no end, because despite being the first state to call it 8220;fit only for animal consumption8221; the state is selling the same stock to the poor at a low rate.

The BJP Government had lodged protests about the inferior quality of wheat to the Prime Minister, even threatened to reject the stocks. Later, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had 8216;raided8217; an FCI godown in Bhopal and declared the imported wheat unfit for human consumption.

But still the state distributes the wheat under the Mukhya Mantri Annapurna Yojana by reducing the per kg price from Rs 4.50 to Rs 3. The scheme was launched with much fanfare by involving the entire Government machinery and the party organisation. But at the launch, the focus was only on the price and not quality.

Even after admitting that it was distributing the same inferior wheat, the Government has no option but to continue with the distribution. 8220;We have no choice, we have to choose between supplying the red wheat and not supplying anything at all,8221; admitted a top official of the state Civil Supplies Department.

The political resolution passed at the BJP8217;s two-day meeting in Bhopal was also silent on red wheat. It only criticised the UPA Government for discriminating against the BJP-ruled state by cutting the quota of PDS foodgrains. However, unaware that the state has no choice, party general secretary Bhupendra Singh declared: 8220;We have decided not to distribute the wheat anymore.8221;

The Maharashtra Government8217;s move has come at a time when MP is fiercely procuring wheat from farmers to avoid a repeat of this year8217;s embarrassment. In a proactive measure, the Government has announced a bonus of Rs 100 in addition to the MSP of Rs 1,000.