RECORD EXPORT OF FOODGRAINS
The quantity of wheat and rice lifted from the
central pool upto April 30, 2002 for the purpose of export aggregated
86.10 lakh MTs. The decision to offer wheat from the central pool
for the purpose of export was taken in November, 2000. The quantity
of wheat lifted by exporters upto March 31, 2002 was 56.83 lakh
MTs. Rice from the central pool is being made available for the
purpose of export with effect from the last financial year. The
quantity of rice lifted during the financial year 2001-02 was
19.85 lakh MTs. The value of wheat and rice lifted so far from
the central pool for the purpose of export is Rs. 4000 crore approximately.
The countries to which exports are being made include, inter alia,
Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Oman, Nigeria, Philippines, South
Korea, Sri Lanka, Sudan, UAE and Yemen. WTO compatible subsidies
are being provided for the export of foodgrains from the central
pool. Exporters have been given the option of selecting stocks
from the depots of their choice. The export prices of foodgrains
are now being fixed on quarterly basis and announced 45 days in
advance to facilitate international negotiations for exports.
An Empowered Standing Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary
(F&PD) has also been set up to interact with the exporters and
take expeditious decisions on matters relating to exports. This
information was given in Rajya Sabha today by Shri Shanta Kumar,
Minister of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution, in
reply to a question of Shrimati Ambika Soni and Dr. T. Subbarami
Reddy.
