The Centre has directed four states - Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and West Bengal - to import wheat during March-May to meet about half their total wheat requirement under PDS, the minister said in a written reply to a query in the Lok Sabha.
He said two more states - Andhra Pradesh and Kerala - have also been asked to consider wheat imports.
This is the first time in recent years that state governments have been asked to directly tap the global market for wheat imports. So far, central agencies, such as the State Trading Corporation (STC), have been floating tenders for wheat import on behalf of the central government.
Prasad said the central government will subsidise states
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