Govt turns down states' request to resume rice exports

Food and Consumer Affairs Ministry today said it has turned down requests from Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to resume non-basmati rice exports.

"Requests were received from the state governments of Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh for export of non-basmati rice. Besides, requests were also received from Rice Millers/ Exporters Association of Punjab and Kerala. These requests were considered but not acceded to," Consumer Affairs and Food Minister of State K V Thomas informed the Loksabha in a written reply.

The government had banned the export of non-basmati rice with effect from April 2008, in order to stabilise price in the domestic market and maintain sufficient stocks for ensuring food security in the country.

The proposal from states to lift the ban on non-basmati rice might come from the fact that India's buffer stock, meant for contingency use, is already high. 

And, as per the estimates of Food Corporation of India, this is likely to increase up to 272.28 lakh tonnes by the end of the current fiscal against the buffer norm of 142 lakh tonnes, thanks to better production buoyed by good monsoon this year.

Production of rice during the kharif season of 2010 is estimated to be 80.4 million tonnes against 75.9 million tonnes in 2009.

India allows export of certain quantities of rice for humanitarian aid to some countries.