Question : EXPORT OF WHEAT

(a) whether wheat exports dipped by over 40 per cent in April, 2001;

(b) if so, whether the Indian wheat does not meet the milling specifications causing reduction in wheat exports;

(c) if so, the details thereof alongwith other reasons for decline;

(d) the total wheat so far exported to the various countries upto May, 2001, alongwith rates at which it is exported and target for the current year;

(e) the steps taken to export the wheat of good quality and achieve the target;

(f) whether the Union Government also propose to export wheat and rice through exporters; and

(g) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI SRIRAM CHAUHAN )

(a) No, Sir.

(b) & (c) No, Sir. Indian wheat has been accepted in 15 countries.

(d) 2368037 MTs of wheat has been exported from the Central Pool to various countries upto 31.05.2001. FCI was permitted to offer wheat for export to PSUs/ Agencies @ Rs.4150/- per MT upto 31.03.2001 and @ Rs. 4300/- per MT thereafter. A quantity of 50 lakh MTs (to begin with) has been fixed for export from the Central Pool for 2001-2002.

(e) The quality of foodgrains exported depends on the specifications laid down by the importing countries. The wheat offered by the FCI is from the stocks procured under MSP. The exporting Agencies have been given the facility of identifying stocks which they intended to export. FCI has been instructed to set up cleaning facilities at Kandla or any other port from which export takes place.

(f) & (g) Wheat and rice are being offered from the Central Pool for export to all parties now. Details of wheat export are mentioned in reply to part (d) above. 30 lakh MTs of rice is being offered from the Central Pool for export @ Rs. 5650/- per MT and Rs. 6000/- per MT for raw and parboiled varieties respectively for the year 2001-2002 to PSUs/private parties.