India working with WTO for solution on food security

India is working with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) members to ensure a permanent solution on the issue of food security at the earliest, the government said on Wednesday.

"India is working with the WTO members to ensure a permanent solution at the earliest," Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

"Initially there was a general campaign of misinformation and criticism of India's stand. However, India stood firm and worked with other WTO members to find a way forward," she added.

After months of deadlock, the WTO in November 2014 acceded to India's demand for extending the peace clause till a permanent solution is found for its food stockpiling issue.

Sitharaman said the WTO General Council decision includes a firm commitment to engage in negotiations for a permanent solution through an intensified programme of work.

For a permanent solution to the food security issue, India had proposed either amending the formula to calculate the food subsidy cap of 10 percent or permitting such schemes outside of the subsidy cap.