UN official cautions against panic purchases of wheat

New Delhi, June 27 (UNI) Even as India has decided to go ahead with wheat imports, a UN expert has cautioned against ''panic purchases'' to meet domestic demand.

''The import of grain may be a legitimate short-term measure. But there is also need to increase domestic supplies,'' Ms Anuradha Rajeevan, a UNDP official said at a press conference.

Observing that from being an overall exporter of food surplus, India was on the threshold of importing wheat, Ms Rajeevan said ''panic purchases'' and hoarding had to be avoided.

''Grain had to be differently handled...Grain is a commodity not like any other. There is need for a different strategic perspective,'' she said in reply to a question.

Reports from Canberra, meanwhile, said Australia had decided to export 500,000 tonnes of wheat to India which had been held up because of quarantine concerns.

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