Govt may import wheat if procurement falls

India is not averse to importing wheat to bolster its buffer stock in case the government fails to procure the required quantity of the grains for its public distribution system.

"We do not want to import (wheat), but will do it if procurement falls," Agriculture and Food Minister Sharad Pawar told reporters here today.

A Group of Ministers (GoM), headed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, has already agreed to source wheat from overseas markets if procurement falls below the target, a senior government official said.

India had to import 1.8 million tons of wheat last year as the government was able to procure only 11 million tons against the targeted 15 million tons.

When asked whether the Centre was under pressure to announce Rs 100 per quintal bonus over and above the minimum support price of wheat, Pawar said "it is good that states are taking right steps to help the Centre procure the foodgrain."