No Import Of Sugar This Season, Says Food Minister

The government does not envisage import of sugar during the current sugar season (1996-97), the Rajya Sabha was told yesterday. After meeting the current years total demand of about 140 lakh tonnes and taking export possibilities also into account, there would still be a very sizeable inventory of sugar available at the end of 1997, food and civil supplies minister Devendra Prasad Yadav said in a written reply.

Keeping in view the production level of sugar in the current season, as compared to the production achieved at the same time last year when 164 lakh tonnes of sugar was produced, it was estimated that the current years production may be around 140 lakh tonnes. On the other hand, the sugar season began with a carry over stock of 80.78 lakh tonnes, he said.

Coal: Public sector investment in the coal sector during the ninth plan is estimated to be about Rs 20,783.59 crore, minister of state for coal Kanti Singh informed the Rajya Sabha.

Exim policy: The UF new exim policy will come into effect from April 1997, minister of state for commerce B B Ramaiah informed the Rajya Sabha.

Replying to supplementaries during the question hour, he said the government has taken note of some of the suggestions including those of the Federation of Indian Exporters Organisation (FIEO) on simplification and streamlining of procedures relating to imports and exports.

Rice exports: There is no proposal at present for export of rice or for its sale for the purpose of export by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) in 1997-98, the government said in the Rajya Sabha.

SAIL: Steel minister B P Baishya informed the Rajya Sabha that the Steel Authority of India will examine market conditions before taking a decision on reopening the two blast furnaces at Bokaro and Bhilai.

Uttaranchal: The centre has not received any request from Uttar Pradesh government for declaring Uttaranchal as a tribal area, the Rajya Sabha was informed. Welfare minister B S Ramoowalia told the house that the state government had been requested to furnish the factual position and its comments on declaring Uttaranchal as a tribal area.

LOK SABHA

Population: Indias population is projected to touch 126.4 crore by 2016 AD, minister of state for health and family welfare Saleem Shervani informed the Lok Sabha.

Ganga waters: The Indo-Bangla treaty on sharing of Ganga waters would have no adverse impact on the flow of waters in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, water resources minister Janeshwar Mishra informed the Lok Sabha.