(a) whether wheat was imported at prices higher than its Minimum Support Price (MSP) paid to
the farmers in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor indicating the excess amount paid on
imports during the last three years and in the current year;
(c) whether there is any proposal to procure wheat at the price being paid for import;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken to import wheat at competitive price?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a),(b),(c),(d)&(e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE STARRED QUESTION NO. 394 DUE FOR
ANSWER ON 21.04.2008 IN THE LOK SABHA.
(a) & (b): Import of wheat was done by floating global tenders at prevailing international
prices which were higher than Minimum Support Price. Wheat was not imported on Government
account during the year 2005-06. 54.54 lakh MT of wheat was imported at a weighted average
price of US $ 204.66 per MT during the year 2006-07 and 17.69 lakh MT of wheat was imported at
a weighted average price of US $ 372.82 per MT during the year 2007-08.
(c), (d) & (e): Wheat is procured at Minimum Support Price. Import of wheat is done through
global tenders floated by designated Public Sector Undertakings who have the requisite expertise
in international trade. The tender is published in leading newspapers as well as on the websites
of these Undertakings in order to get wider participation in the tender.Further,the tender
terms were streamlined to get competitive bids.