(a) whether tobacco stocks piled up during the last two years have been disposed off;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the role of the Tobacco Board in view of adverse weather conditions this year?
(a) whether tobacco stocks piled up during the last two years have been disposed off;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the role of the Tobacco Board in view of adverse weather conditions this year?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ( SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY )
(a) & (b) : Tobacco manufacturers, exporters and dealers are together holding 119.88 million kgs. of old stock as on 1.1.2002. It was in a bid to address the situation of over-supply in the market that a decision was taken to not register any growers in Andhra Pradesh in the 2000-2001 season or to fix any crop size in that State during that season.
(c) : Following the untimely rains which caused damage to the standing FCV tobacco crop in two districts of Andhra Pradesh, the Tobacco Board has carried out a preliminary assessment of the damage sustained by the growers. The Board is engaged in an intensive campaign to educate the growers on measures to reduce the curing losses sustained as a result of this damage.