BJP alleges scam in Bengal crop procurement, demands CBI probe

Kolkata, Feb 21 (IANS) BJP National Secretary Rahul Sinha on Thursday alleged corruption in procurement of paddy from farmers in West Bengal and demanded a CBI inquiry into the scam."There has been huge corruption across the state regarding procurement of crops from farmers. The MSP of crops set by Central government is Rs 1,750. But at many places in Bengal, the farmers are getting Rs 1,350. We demand a CBI inquiry into it," Sinha said.The farmers are given Rs 1,350 for paddy but are forced to sign receipts where it is stated they are getting Rs 1,750, he alleged.Farmers are committing suicide as they are not receiving the proper price for their produce, he said.He announced that on February 27 the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will organise a massive agitation across the state on the issue.State food supplies minister Jyotipriyo Mullick, however, denied the charges saying the BJP should stop making allegations without proper evidence.
--IANS mgr/rs/bg