THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI SRIRAM CHAUHAN )
(a),(b)&(c): During the current financial year, 50 lakh MTs and 30 lakh MTs of wheat and
rice respectively, are being offered for export from the Central Pool. So far, 12.99 lakh MTs
of wheat (upto 31.7.2001) and 1.21 lakh MTs of rice (upto 22.8.2001) (1.91 lakh MTs from the
country as a whole upto May, 2001) have been exported from the Central Pool.
The decision to export foodgrains from Central Pool is taken on the basis of the extent
of surplus stocks over and above the buffer norms, availability of storage capacity for further
procurement, carrying cost of foodgrains etc. and not merely on the basis of production of
foodgrains in the country.
(d) & (e): Export of wheat & rice forms only a small part of our total production and also
of the stocks held in the Central Pool.
However, FCI also undertakes creation of additional storage capacity by construction of
godowns at strategic locations at micro-level under the Five Year Plans and by exploring
additional resources for investment in augmentation of storage facilities under the National
Storage Policy on Handling, Storage & Transportation of Foodgrains. During the Annual Plan for
2001-2002, the targets of FCI and CWC are 1.29 lakh MTs and 2 lakh MTs respectively for
construction of godowns.
To increase exports of wheat and rice, the export prices have been fixed keeping in view,
inter-alia, the international prices. Alongwith PSUs/Agencies, private parties have been
permitted to export these commodities.
(f): FCI has been permitted to offer foodgrains for export from its port godowns. The
selection of ports for export wheat & rice are actually decided by the exporters.
