PM urged to lift ban on rice export

New Delhi, Aug 3 :-

  A delegation of MPs from Andhra Pradesh on Monday met the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and urged to lift ban to export of broiled rice to foreign countries.

They appealed the Prime Minister to give permission to export rice from godowns and submitted a memorandum to him in this regard.

The government had banned the export of wheat in February 2007 and rice in April 2008 to curb galloping inflation rate.

The Prime Minister assured the delegation that the government is actively considering to lift the ban on rice and wheat export.

However, it will take a final decision on the matter after ensuring that adequate foodgrain is available in the country to guarantee food security through a proposed new law.

“We have to take stock of the wheat and rice stocks in our godowns and the anticipated production of such foodgrain during Rabi,” he added.

Anticipating a record harvest and procurement of paddy in the coming season, a top official on Monday said the current ban on export of rice may be relaxed over the next four-five months.

“October-November is the time when the government may think of lifting the ban on the export of rice,” the official said.