Ban on non-basmati rice export may go in June

New Delhi, May 20 (PTI) The Centre is likely to allowexport of non-basmati rice from next month while removing thequantitative restriction on wheat shipments followingcomfortable stock to meet the foodgrain requirements suppliedat cheaper rates through ration shops. "The GoM had deferred (in March 2009) a decision to allownon-Basmati rice export and instead allowed 20 lakh tonnes ofrice shipment through diplomatic channel," a top governmentofficial said here today. It had also decided to take stock of the foodgrainsituation in June before lifting the curb on rice export, theofficial added. Since the UPA government has returned to power and theCentre has procured record quantity of rice this year, it is amatter of time before the ban is lifted, the official said. The official also said that the quantitative restrictionof 20 lakh tonnes on wheat export may soon be waived byallowing free trade as there is a record procurement of thefoodgrain this year. However, the decision has to be taken bythe cabinet after formation of the government, the officialadded. The swearing-in ceremony of the UPA government for asecond term is likely to take place on May 22. The Food Ministry, which was objecting to allowing exportof foodgrain, is of the view that there is no danger to foodsecurity if export of wheat and rice is allowed for now,sources said. "If the stocks deplete and prices rise in the domesticmarket, banning of export is always an option," anotherofficial noted. The ministry' & chr(39) & 's change of view has stemmed from recordprocurement of rice and wheat in two successive years and acomfortable buffer stock, the sources said. They added that the Food Ministry had early-Marchrecommended for removal of complete ban on wheat export, butthe ministerial panel decided to put a cap of 20 lakh tonnes,initially. According to a data, the Centre has purchased a record287.5 lakh tonnes of rice and 229.54 lakh tonnes of wheat sofar this procurement season. The wheat procurement is expectedto end on June 30 while rice purchases will be over bySeptember-end. The Agriculture Ministry has also estimated last year' & chr(39) & 'srice output at 99.37 million tonnes and wheat at 77.63 milliontonnes. PTI