Petition challenges wheat import, hearing on May 17

A direction to advance the hearing came on an 8220;urgent8221; application filed by petitioner Vandana Shiva. A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan posted the matter for hearing ahead of the date of May 21 when tender would close as fixed by State Trading Corporation. The bids received would be valid till May 30.

Appearing for Shiva, Pinky Anand alleged that some of 5.5 mt wheat imported last year had been declared unfit for consumption and there was dilution in safety standards for import of the foodgrain. She also wanted multinational companies and private traders to be barred from direct procurement of the grain from farmers, as they tend to hoard the commodity resulting in artificial scarcity.

Shiva who runs 8216;Navdanya8217;, an NGO engaged in promoting genetic and output diversity in farming and rural ecosystems, has challenged the Government8217;s decision, saying the policy will compromise India8217;s food security as wheat imported last year was of sub-standard quality.

8220;They MNCs are paying higher amounts to procure wheat, hoarding it and then selling it at exorbitant prices,8221; Shiva added. Quoting a report that appeared in The Indian Express on April 30, 2007, Shiva said there was no need for further imports as 53,000 tonnes of already contracted wheat was lying unutilised at various ports.