The Hindu Business Line : 33 m t grain lifted from FCI for exports since Dec 2000

OVER 33 million tonnes (mt) of foodgrains have been lifted from the Food Corporation of India's (FCI) godowns by exporters since December 2000, when the decision to allow exports from public stocks was taken.

The 33.40 mt of foodgrains lifted by exporters from the Central pool between December 2000 and March 2004 includes 19.87 mt of wheat and 13.53 mt of rice.

Exports have played a large role in bringing down the FCI's grain inventories from a peak of 64.83 mt (41.32 mt wheat and 23.40 mt rice) as on June 1, 2002 to 22.78 mt (8.57 mt wheat and 13.57 mt rice) as on March 1, 2004.

In fact, during 2003-04 alone, exporters lifted a total quantity of 10.14 mt.

This was despite the Government's decision to suspend fresh allocations for exports from the Central pool with effect from August 13, 2003.

The Food Ministry says it will review whether or not to resume allocations in July.

"By that time, we can make a fair assessment, taking into account both wheat procurement during the ongoing rabi marketing season and also the progress of the monsoon, which would determine the prospects for the kharif rice crop," Ministry officials said.

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