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BJP leader
Dr. Kirit Somaiya demanded a CBI inquiry in the Sugar export and
import saga and said that this could be a Big Scam, running into
1000’s of crores.
Sugar
Prices have touched Rs. 26/- per kg. in Retail markets.
Yesterday, at APMC Market in Navi Mumbai, wholesale price of
Sugar was quoted between Rs. 2340/- to Rs. 2400/- per quintal.
Dr. Kirit
Somaiya came down heavily on the Central Govt. non transperant
and manipulative economic policy of exporting 48 lakh
tonnes of Sugar @ Rs. 12/- to 13/- per kg in the year 2008. The
total consumption of Sugar is 230 lakh tonnes annually.
The
so-called ‘Shetkari Raja’, Union Minister had declared India as
a ‘Sugar Surplus’ country in 2008 - Over and above, the
govt. had even given a subsidy of Rs. 1.45 per kg to the private
exporters.
Most
shockingly, in the same year- 2008/ 2009, the govt.
announced its decision to import sugar, at a higher rate
of Rs. 22/- to 24/- per kg. - stating a deficit/ shortage in
sugar.
Now in
February 2009, the Indian Govt. allowed duty free imports of
white sugar up to 10 lakh tonnes and also decided to do away
with export obligation for import.
All this
has resulted in the sugar prices rocketing up from Rs. 18.50 per
kg. in July 2008 to Rs. 26/- per kg. in April 2009 and fuelling
inflation.
Sugar
prices over the past few months are as under:
July
2008 : Rs. 18.50/- per kg
December
2008 : Rs. 21.50/- per kg.
January
2009 : Rs.
22.00/- per kg.
Feb/Mar
2009 : Rs.
24.00/- per kg
11 April
2009 : Rs. 26.00/- per kg.
(Source:Consumer Affairs Ministry, GOI)
Dr. Kirit
Somaiya further added that this is the latest scam by the
Congress/NCP led UPA Govt. after last year’s ‘Import of poor
quality Wheat’ scam and charged that there were several
anamolies created and ad hoc decisions taken by the Congress-NCP
led UPA govt. in connection to Sugar.
He
retorted that who got how much and by what means must be probed.
Who benefited from this export-import scam? Govt. or Sugar
Lobby? Or representative of the Sugar Lobby in the Govt?
Dr. Kirit
Somaiya further alleged that the govt has shown scant respect to
the needs of the common man-and it’s non-transparent economic
policies are benefiting only a particular segment.
Dayanand
Nene
90040
28575 |
