(a) whether in view of substantial increase in foodgrains the Government propose to export wheat; and
(b) if so, the details of countries to whom the Government propose to export alongwith the terms and conditions thereof?
(a) whether in view of substantial increase in foodgrains the Government propose to export wheat; and
(b) if so, the details of countries to whom the Government propose to export alongwith the terms and conditions thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI SRIRAM CHAUHAN )
(a) & (b) : The stocks of wheat in the Central Pool are much in excess of the buffer stock norms. In view of the normal wheat crop, liquidation of excess wheat stocks has become necessary. Export of wheat can be one way of liquidating the stocks. Enquiries regarding import of wheat have been received from Iraq, Russia, Nepal and Mauritius.
Government had, in 1999, decided to supply 50,000 MTs. Of wheat from the Central Pool to His Majesty`s Government of Nepal on Government to Government basis, at rates not lower than the Food Corporation of India`s (FCI`s) Open Market Sales Scheme (OMSS) rates. However, they have lifted only 906 tonnes of wheat so far. Ruling prices of wheat in India being very high, compared to the international prices, the export potential of Indian wheat is extremely bleak. As a result, export deal with no other country could so far be clinched.