In fact different government agencies have already procured over 38 lakh tonnes of wheat for the central pool, it is learnt. Sources said that the total procurement by different agencies and traders by May 12 was to the tune of about 38.08 lakh tonnes. As procurement season is coming to an end now, the arrivals to different procurement centres have dwindled to few thousand but the total procurement is likely to cross the 40 lakh tonnes mark for the central pool.

It is learnt that by May 12, Hafed had procured about 13.89 lakh tonnes of wheat, followed by Haryana's food and civil supplies department at 8.30 lakh tonnes and Food Corporation of India at 6.16 lakh tonnes. Of total procurement of about 38.00 lakh tonnes by this date, government agencies had procured about 37.76 lakh tonnes by May 12 and traders about23,942 tonnes.