Govt: Wheat import tender on Saturday

NEW DELHI: The government is likely to decide on wheat import tender on Saturday, a senior food ministry official said here on Friday. “We have examined the bids. But a decision could not be taken since the food and agriculture minister Sharad Pawar was not available in the capital,” the official said.

Sources in the food ministry said details of the wheat import tender would be discussed by senior officials and Mr Pawar and decision might be taken by Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, STC is engaged in hard negotiations with global suppliers. Industry sources said STC has asked the global suppliers like Glencore, Toepfer and Cargill to reduce the bid price and increase the quantity for the wheat import. — Agencies

However, when contacted an STC official said government has not given any direction so far and has asked to wait till September 3, which is the last day for government to take a decision. STC received bids worth 5.3 lakh tonne of wheat from six companies in a price range of $385-434 per tonne against its global tender to import the foodgrain.

While eight companies participated in the tender, floated by STC, which has been importing wheat on behalf of the government, the bids of two firms were either rejected or not considered, an STC official said.

Glencore has offered to supply the maximum quantity of three lakh tonne. Cargill India has offered to supply 80,000 tonne, while Toepfer international 70,000 tonne, Switzerland-based Ameropa 25,000 tonne and Starcom 5,000 tonne. PEC has also entered into the bidding process by offering to supply 50,000 tonne of wheat.