:
(a) whether the rice export from India has been badly affected due to its quality, transportation problems and lack of competitive prices;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government have formulated any scheme to remove the above problems; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY)
(a) to (d) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.591 FOR ANSWER ON 2.5.2003 REGARDING RICE EXPORT.
(a) & (b): Export of Non-basmati rice during the current year (April, 2002 to January,2003) has increased to 35.47 lakh MT valued at Rs.3236 crores from 10.11 lakh MT valued at Rs.937 crores in the corresponding period last year. However, representations have been received from All India Rice Exporters` Association and others on inter-alia inadequate availability of railway rakes which has caused difficulties.
(c) & (d): Certain WTO admissible costs on account of marketing and transport are being reimbursed on exports out of Central Pool Stocks.