March 15, 2007

India to extend duty free wheat imports until April 30
 

The government of India decided to extend the last date of duty free wheat imports of 55 lakh tonnes for public distribution system (PDS) and other social welfare schemes by two months until April 30.

Over 53 lakh tonnes of wheat imported by the state agency STC have already arrived in the country.

Though the notification issued by the Directorate General Foreign Trade only mentions about import of 50 lakh tonnes of wheat being extended till April 30, a food ministry official clarified that the notification for the other 5 lakh tonnes of wheat import is not required as the formalities for those contracts have already been completed.

The notification said the import of 50 lakh tonnes by state trading corporation, which expired on February 28, has been extended till April 30.

This is to facilitate the arrival of the remaining consignments of over one lakh tonnes of duty free wheat import.

The government has not extended the time limit for zero duty wheat import contracts by private traders after it expired on February 28.

Flour millers and biscuit manufacturers have already imported duty free wheat of over 6.5 lakh tonnes so far.