Non-basmati rice export ban stays for 3 mths
The government has decided to continue the ban on export of non-basmati rice for another three months.
By Amiti Sen, ET Bureau |
New Delhi: The government has decided to continue the ban on export of non-basmati rice for another three months. The empowered group of ministers (EGoM) on food grains, which met on Tuesday, has decided to hold another meeting on November 1 to take a call on partially lifting the ban on non-basmati rice.
Since the kharif harvest will be known by then, the EGoM will be in a position to decide exactly how much rice the country can afford to export during the forthcoming season.
Speaking to ET, official sources said even if there was a bumper harvest, the government would not lift the ban completely. ���International price of non-basmati rice is ruling at Rs 52 per kg. If the ban on exports is lifted completely, there is a chance that the entire domestic produce will get diverted to the international market. The government cannot risk it,��� the official said.
The export ban on non-basmati rice was imposed on March 31 this year to check spiralling prices and rising inflation. The government subsequently banned export of maize too. A review of the ban on maize exports would also be done in the November 1 meeting.
While the government has received requests from a number of countries including African nations for supply of rice, it has not yet been decided which request would be met if India decides to export rice. ���It is a decision which would be taken only when the government decides whether rice should be exported and how much quantity is to be exported,��� the official added.
The EGoM on food grains is headed by external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee and includes agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, finance Minister P Chidambaram, commerce & industry minister Kamal Nath and Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.
Rice output in 2007-08 is expected to be around 94-95 million tonnes, which would result in a surplus of about 6-7 million tonnes.
Since the kharif harvest will be known by then, the EGoM will be in a position to decide exactly how much rice the country can afford to export during the forthcoming season.
Speaking to ET, official sources said even if there was a bumper harvest, the government would not lift the ban completely. ���International price of non-basmati rice is ruling at Rs 52 per kg. If the ban on exports is lifted completely, there is a chance that the entire domestic produce will get diverted to the international market. The government cannot risk it,��� the official said.
The export ban on non-basmati rice was imposed on March 31 this year to check spiralling prices and rising inflation. The government subsequently banned export of maize too. A review of the ban on maize exports would also be done in the November 1 meeting.
While the government has received requests from a number of countries including African nations for supply of rice, it has not yet been decided which request would be met if India decides to export rice. ���It is a decision which would be taken only when the government decides whether rice should be exported and how much quantity is to be exported,��� the official added.
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The EGoM on food grains is headed by external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee and includes agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, finance Minister P Chidambaram, commerce & industry minister Kamal Nath and Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.
Rice output in 2007-08 is expected to be around 94-95 million tonnes, which would result in a surplus of about 6-7 million tonnes.
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