EGoM may decide on grain exports next week

NEW DELHI: An empowered group of ministers (EGoM) meet next week could likely approve export of a limited quantity of wheat and rice, which together now total 65 million tonne in Central stocks.

The Food Corporation of India ( FCI), the premier grain buyer and distributor for the government, has storage space capacity only 62 million tonne along with space owned by the state agencies.

Not all the capacity is usable. Another 35 million tonne could be added in the kharif marketing season this winter and that means that there is additional pressure on the government to clear space for new grain hurry.

Indicating the possibility of exports, which so far have been very limited in anticipation of the grain needed to service the new food bill which is to be introduced in the monsoon session of parliament, the Commerce secretary said the government could allow grain exports soon.