April 12, 2002

INDIA TO EARN RS. 12000 CRORE FROM FOODGRAINS EXPORT

    Government has decided to export 150 lakh tonnes of foodgrains during 2002-2003 and earn foreign exchange worth Rs. 12000 crore; according to Shri Shanta Kumar, Minister of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution. This comprise 100 lakh tonnes of wheat and 50 lakh tonnes of rice.

    The Minister said that there was record offtake of 301 lakh tonnes of wheat and rice from the central pool during the year 2001-02. The total offtake during the year 2000-01 was just 179 lakh tonnes. Thus, the increase in the offtake during the year 2001-02 was of the order of 122 lakh tonnes. There was a significant increase in the offtake under Open Market Sales Scheme, Food for Work Programme, Sampoorna Gramin Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) and Mid-Day Meals Scheme, besides TPDS.

    The Food Ministry has considerably increased the allocation under TPDS to all States and Union Territories. During the first three months the centre has allocated 208 lakh tonnes of foodgrains under PDS and the allocation is expected to touch 832 lakh tonnes during the current year. In a letter addressed to all Chief Ministers Shri Shanta Kumar has requested them to make necessary arrangements for lifting and distributing foodgrains through the fair price shops at the earliest.