Mounting food stocks trigger export plan

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JUNE 12. The Centre proposes to export 50 lakh tonnes of wheat and 30 lakh tonnes of rice this year in a bid to offload stocks. The Food Corporation of India has been permitted to export 4.35 lakh tonnes of maize this year.

The High Level Committee on Foodgrains Prices has set the export price of wheat at Rs. 4,300 per tonne and of parboiled rice at Rs. 5,650 and Rs. 6,000 per tonne, the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Mr. Shanta Kumar, said here on Monday.

The price was fixed after inviting tenders and considering the market prices of grains in the international and domestic market. Since December last, 26,87562 tonnes of wheat had been lifted by exporting agencies as against 32,27,217 tonnes contracted.

Food stocks were 51.0 lakh tonnes on May 1 as against the buffer norm of 15.8 million tonnes. This includes wheat procurement of 199.64 lakh tonnes this rabi till date, as against 158.68 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period last year.

Mr. Shanta Kumar announced the formation of State Advisory Committees in each State chaired by a Member of Parliament to look into the distribution of the foodgrains under the Public Distribution System and Antodaya. The Committee will monitor the PDS and be a link between the Ministry and the State.

He also announced a decision to hold Consumer Awareness Camps in 100 districts in first phase with the help of States, the Advisory Committees and the NGOs. Camps will be held in identified districts, where 200 beneficiaries will be invited with their ration cards for officials to know about the distribution and availability of foodgrains. ``If we can build awareness there will be less diversion,'' he said.

In view of the rejection of wheat exported to Iraq, the Minister said facilities for upgradation would soon be set up at ports such as Kandla, Kakinada and Vishakapatnam. The facilities might be set up by wheat-exporting public sector undertakings, the FCI or even private parties.

The Minister lamented the poor offtake of grains under the PDS and said it was a joint responsibility of the Centre and States.

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