Centre slashed import duty on wheat from 10 per cent to zero
38-year-old farmer Deenu Yadav, who lives some 40 kms from state capital Bhopal, is uncertain whether the wheat crop he's growing will fetch him good price now that the centre has scrapped import duty on the grain. The government says the decision was taken to reduce domestic prices and denies there's a shortage.
"There is no shortage of wheat in the country and the decision was taken to cool down domestic prices, which has shown an upward trend in recent weeks. This is not a permanent decision," Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said in the Rajya Sabha.
But thousands of farmers like Deenu are not convinced and fear less demand for their wheat produce in next few months.
"This zero import duty on wheat will definitely affect me and other farmers. My crop will mature in February, who will buy my produce. Traders will buy imported wheat. We will not find takers," Deenu told NDTV.
In the Rajya Sabha on Friday the Opposition protested against slashing of import duty from 10 per cent to zero, demanding a roll back.
CPI(M) Leader Sitaram Yechury said "This is against the interest of the nation and its farmers. It is an anti-national act."
Deenu has already taken a loan of 40,000 rupees for this crop. He's already reeling from losses of Rs 20,000 from his last crop, soyabean - damaged in heavy monsoon rain.
He says,"the cooperative society is not giving money, somehow I managed to sow and now I have no money for harvest and also have dues to pay."
Rajesh Goyal, Secretary Government-run Sehore Mandi, says," I don't think this will impact local farmers much. The government has said it's a temporary decision."