New Delhi (PTI): State-run trading firm PEC has invited bids for sale of 2,000 tonnes of imported edible oils.

The bids, which will close on January 12, are for minimum 200 tonnes of RBD palmolein oil to be lifted from Mumbai port within a week, PEC said in its tender notice posted on its website.

The decision on the tender will be taken by January 13, it added.

The company specified that bidder should quote for the entire quantity and bids received for less than the minimum quantity shall not be considered.

The public sector trading agencies -- STC, MMTC, PEC and Nafed -- who had imported edible oil on behalf of the government for supplying through ration shops, are now offloading the commodity in the market as states are refusing to take delivery.

The state governments are not buying as they believe that the prices of edible oil are not attractive compared with the market rates even after the subsidy. The Centre had announced to sell cooking oil at Rs 15 per kg, lower than the import price.

As a result, these trading agencies are inviting bids to sell the cooking oils in the open market.