In an affidavit submitted to the Bombay HC the department of food and public distribution has stated that the PIL urging the court to stop the sale of imported wheat.
In an affidavit submitted to the Bombay High Court on Monday, the department of food and public distribution has stated that the PIL urging the court to stop the sale of imported wheat and destroy the substandard wheat lying in government godowns is a stunt to gain political mileage.
The PIL was filed in November 2007 by former MP Dr Kirit Somaiya, former MP and adivasi leader Chintaman Vanga and a member of the scheduled tribe community Madhukar Khutade.
The PIL asked the court to take stock of the unsold wheat, order its destruction and also undertake a scrutiny of the administrative wrangle behind the import of wheat that was found unfit for human consumption.
Additional solicitor general Rajendra Raghuvanshi submitted the affidavit of undersecretary RBS Negi to the court on Monday. Negi’s affidavit states that the PIL is not genuine as it has been filed by a member of the opposition party who has an ulterior motive of raising a political issue through court and embarrassing the government.
Moreover, the affidavit points out that a similar petition has already been dismissed by the Delhi High Court and another one filed by ecofeminist Vandana Shiva is pending in the Supreme Court.
The affidavit states that the issues concerning the import of wheat, quantity of wheat to be imported, issuance of tenders and fixation of price, fall within the realm of economic policy of the government and thus cannot be determined judicially. The PIL should therefore not be entertained by the court.
Justifying the decision to import wheat, Negi’s affidavit states that an average Indian family requires about 60-65 kg of foodgrain per month.
The PDS supplies a maximum of 35 kg of foodgrain per month, the balance has to be sourced from the open market. Also, the import was deemed necessary to strengthen the buffer stock required for Target Public Distibution System and emergencies.
j_mayura@dnaindia.net
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