NEW DELHI: The Agriculture Minister, MR Balram Jakhar, drew flak in the Lok Saba as the government came in for criticism for seeking to obtain wheat from the United States on the condition that it would not supply rice to Cuba,

“The twin issues of when exactly the government took the decision to import wheat from the decision to import wheat from the United States and the USA pressure on India, to stop rice supply to Cuba go interrelated. Consequently the Controversy that began in question hour continued well into zero hour for the total 45 minutes.

In between, Congress (I) members also criticized the government for its failure to announce the minimum price for agricultures produce.

“Mr Jakhars discomfiture was of his own making. He landed himself in trouble when he said that the decision to import wheat had been taken before their government assumed power. He offered to reply to the question about wheat import even though he said the matter did not concern his minister. He hardly knew what hit him was opposition members cutting across party affiliations were on their feet seeking clarifications.

The former Prime Minister, Mr Chandra Shekhar, took exception to the impression created by Mr Jakhars statement that it was the formers government that had taken the decision on wheat import. Mr Chandra Shekhar demanded to know at what stage the decision had been taken and by whom. he said personally he had been against taking such a step and if the decision had been a taken by its government, the present government could cancel it he said the minister was seeking to projects his views through a “captive Press” by indulging in the “total distortion of facts.”

Reacting to the charge that the government was low during his government, Mr Chandra Shekhar said he had left the office in June when the procurement had begun.

Mr Nirmal Chatter jee CPI-D immediately took over from where Mr Chandra Shekhar had left holding the copy of a newspaper in his hand he referred to a report that the US had said it would supply wheat to India only if it stopped rice supply to Cuba.

Apparently realizing that he had invited trouble, Mr. Jakhar got up to intervene. He said the opposition would do well to refer the matter to the Commerce Ministry to get the answer.

Mr. Jakhar: “Only a competent ministry can reply. He sought to argue that wheat had not been imported as yet. Sensing the mode of the opinion, the Speaker, Mr. Shivraj Patil, pointed out to the government that opposition members wanted to know shen the decision to import wheat had been taken. To expect the minister to give the reply i “writing”, he observed. Opposition members were not satisfied. Mr Somnath Chatter jee (CPI-D said the country had been shown red eyes” by the US and was being dictated commercial terms. He regretted that the Agriculture Minister had pleaded ignorance about the US pressure. He demanded that the Commerce Minister should come to the House “here and now” and reply.

Mr. Digvi jay Singh congress (I) said that thought undoubtedly a serious matter was being sought to be raised it was based on unsubstantiated press report Mr. Madan Lai Rhurana (BJP) alleged that while the government was exporting wheat at the rate of 95 per tonne it had agreed to import it vat the rate of 180 per dollars.

Article extracted from this publication >> March 20, 1992