New Delhi, Sep 9 (IANS) The government Saturday issued a notification allowing the private sector to import wheat sans any import duty till the year-end as against a five percent duty currently.

This will speed up wheat imports in addition to 5.5 million tonnes being imported through the government-owned State Trading Corporation (STC).

"The Department of Revenue, Central Board of Excise and Customs has notified the reduction of the customs duty on import of wheat by private trade from five to zero percent with immediate effect up to Dec 31, 2006," an official statement issued Saturday said.

The Cabinet Committee on Prices, at its meeting held on Aug 31, had decided that zero duty imports of wheat by private trade would be notified after STC concludes its wheat import contracts.

STC opened its tenders on Sep 5 for the final instalment of imports, taking the total to 5.5 million tonnes.

Government plans to beef up domestic stocks well before the next wheat harvest in mid-April to prevent a repeat of low opening stocks driving up prices, as happened this year.