M A I N   N E W S

Centre awaits wheat arrivals
from Punjab as stocks dwindle
Sarbjit Dhaliwal
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 6
Obviously worried over the dwindling stock of wheat in the Central pool, the Union Government has enquired from the Punjab Government as to when fresh wheat will start arriving in the market.

Informed sources say the Union Government will prepare its strategy keeping in view the wheat arrivals in Punjab. The Union Government has already ordered the import of 5 lakh tonnes of wheat. The imports have been ordered because of the rise in the price of wheat in various parts of the country especially in Tamil Nadu and other southern states.

However, the Punjab Government has not appreciated the decision to import wheat. Sources say Chief Minister Amarinder Singh talked to Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar in this regard. The Union Government has informed the state government that it had to order the import of wheat because of the rise in the price of wheat in the past days.

However, it would take two months for the imported wheat to reach coastal states. By that time fresh wheat will also start arriving in markets of Punjab and Haryana.

The Punjab Government had informed the Union Government that the wheat in state's market would start arriving around April 7. The area under wheat crop is 34.3 lakh hectares compared to last year's figure of 34.8 lakh hectares. The state government is expecting production of 146.25 lakh tonnes of wheat this year whereas last year the production was 146.98 lakh tonnes. This year, the area is less by a few thousand hectares compared to last year.

Capt Amarinder Singh said the state government had no plan to reduce area under wheat.

Wheat procurement estimated at 162 lakh tonnes
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 6
The wheat procurement during the Rabi marketing season 2006-07 is estimated at 162 lakh tonnes, which would be 10 per cent more than 147.85 lakh tonnes procured in the last Rabi season, according to latest official estimates.

The preliminary estimate emerged at a meeting of Food Secretaries of the main wheat procuring states held here today by Mr R.N. Das, Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution.

The meeting, besides taking an estimate of wheat procurement also discussed matters relating to procurement of coarse grains, setting up of control rooms and purchase centres in various states and purchase of gunny bags.

According to the preliminary estimates, Punjab is expected to contribute maximum to the Central pool as usual with 85 lakh tonnes of wheat followed by Haryana with 42 lakh tonnes and Uttar Pradesh with 25 lakh tonnes.

Other states, which contribute to wheat procurement for the Central pool, are Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttaranchal.