Food Ministry
has constituted a Committee to formulate a clear and comprehensive
policy framework for export and import of foodgrains over a period
of time, besides recommending operational guidelines. The seven
Member Committee headed by Chairman, FCI will have representatives
from commerce and railways also as members. The other members
include senior officials from the Food Ministry and Managing Director
of FCI. According to Shri Sharad Yadav, Minister of Consumer Affairs,
Food and Public Distribution this Committee will go a long way
in removing bottlenecks faced by grain exporters.
The Committee
is to determine principles for export and import of foodgrains,
formulate policy for WTO compatible subsidy on export of foodgrains
both from central pool stocks and on private account; set up mechanism
to monitor export of foodgrains, establish of market intelligence
and reporting systems and to prevent diversion of stocks meant
for export to domestic market, besides formulating guidelines
for operational convenience including rail freight movement.
The Committee
has to submit its report to the Department of Food and Public
Distribution by February 28, 2003.
