(a) whether some agricultural commodities are barred from export and futures trading;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with its impact on revenue earning of the country;
(c) whether the Government proposes to liberalise the foodgrain market in the
country; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(PROF. K. V. THOMAS)
(a): Export of agricultural commodities are generally governed by domestic
availability, national priorities, international prices and related factors. Most of the
agricultural
commodities are free to export. However, the export of edible oils and pulses are
restricted due to
mismatch between their domestic production and consumption. The export of pulses is
banned
(except export of Kabuli chana and 10,000 MT of organic lentils and pulses per annum).
The
export of edible oils is also banned except following:
i) Castor Oil
ii) Coconut oil
iii) Deemed export of edible oils (as input raw material) from DTA to 100% EOU.
iv) Edible oils from Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) to Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
v) Edible oils produced out of minor forest produce.
v) 10,000 MTs of Organic edible oils per annum.
vi) Edible oils in branded consumer packs of upto 5 Kgs is permitted with a Minimum
Export Price of USD 1500 per MT.
However, as per the present policy of the Government, export of wheat and non-basmati
rice is allowed under Open General Licence (OGL) from privately held stocks
since 09.09.2011.
At present, three commodities are under suspension from futures trading on commodity
exchanges. These are Tur, Urad and Rice. Rice was suspended on 27th February, 2007 and
Tur
and Urad on 23rd January 2007. Futures trading in these commodities was suspended only
as a
measure of abundant precaution in the wake of rising prices.
(b) to (d): Information is being collected.