THE general secretary of the CPI(M) and leader of the CPI(M) group in Rajya Sabha, Sitaram Yechury characterised the government decision to abolish the import duty on wheat as anti-national. He had given a notice under rule 267 for a discussion on the subject. When he appealed to the chair to accept the notice, the BJP members tried to stop him by raising a din. This was opposed by Anand Sharma of the Congress, Satish Chandra Mishra of BSP and Sharad Yadav of JD(U).

Yechury said that abolition of import duty on wheat is shameful. Fifty years after we achieved self-sufficiency in food production and green revolution we are embarking on a path to destroy the peasantry in the country and allowing multi-national corporations to earn huge project. He said this step follows demonetisation when the peasants are already facing acute shortage of cash to reap the harvest and prepare for a new crop. The peasants are not being given the minimum support price. They are being forced to sell their crop at half price. While the support price for paddy is Rs 1,541 per quintal, they are being compelled to sell it for Rs 700-800 per quintal.

He said the government is destroying the food security by this attack on the peasantry and this is not acceptable. He said the government is apprehensive that demonetisation may lead to a riotous situation due to food shortage. It is for this reason that the import duty on wheat is being abolished. It is shameful for the country, he said. He demanded a discussion for this reason. Castigating the BJP members who were creating a din, Yechury said the problem relates the peasantry who provides food for the country. He reiterated that this step of the government is against the interests of the country, it is anti-national. All this is happening because of demonetisation, he said.