MNCs not restricted from buying wheat: Pawar

The government had not prevented or restricted anyone, including the multinational companies (MNCs), from buying wheat anywhere in India, said Union Agriculture and Food Minister Sharad Pawar in a press conference.

Pawar was referring to media reports that said the government had restricted large corporate houses and MNCs from buying wheat from farmers in states of Punjab and Haryana.

"Farmers are free to sell wheat to whosoever they want. The only condition is the buyers declare the quantity they buy over and above 50, 000 tonne. Even the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is transparent about the stocks it procures," said Pawar.

The mandatory declaration is intended to prevent hoarding that can trigger prices. "We will buy the last grain of wheat that a farmer sells. But if our stock position is not good, we will import wheat to meet demands, said Pawar.