PRICING OF SUGARCANE IN UP
SHRI SHARAD
YADAV TO MEET PRIME MINISTER
Shri Sharad Yadav,
Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution will
be taking the initiative to solve the problem of sugarcane pricing
in Uttar Pradesh. He will be meeting the Prime Minister alongwith
Shri Rajnath Singh, Minister of Agriculture soon to discuss the
issue. This was stated by Shri Yadav, while addressing a press
conference here today.
Government has created
a buffer stock of 20 lakh tonnes of sugar enabling the sugar mills
to pay sugar cane arrears to the extent of Rs. 786 crore, he said.
The President has approved the amendment to the Essential Commodities
Act allowing the government to make the sugar release mechanism
effective on sugar releases from mills. Last year during the financial
year 2001-02, the export of sugar from India stood at 14.56 lakh
MTs and exports during 2002-03 is expected at 15 lakh MTs; Shri
Yadav said.
Government will be
taking necessary steps to facilitate foodgrains export from the
country. The export of foodgrains during 2002-03 is estimated
to be 122 lakh tonnes against 40 lakh tonnes during 2001-02. Government
will initiate steps to make available improved transport facilities
including rakes to solve the problem of exporters.
Shri Yadav pointed
out that offtake of foodgrains under PDS increased from 138 lakh
tonnes in 2001-02 to around 190 lakh tonnes during 2002-03. The
offtake by BPL families also increased from 117 lakh tonnes in
2001-02 to 160 lakh tonnes during 2002-03 including offtake under
Antyodaya Anna Yojana, the Minister said
The average movement
to the 14 drought affected States out of 17 drought affected States
(i.e. excluding Punjab, Haryana and Uttranchal) was about 11.25
lakh tonnes per month (equivalent to 490 Rakes/month) during the
year 2002-03. The average movement during the first quarter of
2003-04 is anticipated to be about 20.14 lakh tonnes per month
(equivalent to 875 Rakes per month) which indicated an increase
of about 79% over the previous year.
