New Delhi,Lok Sabha,28 Apr:Though India is not listed as one of the 37 countries facing food crisis as per FAO’s Report No.2 (April 2008) as also by International Grains Council – Grain Market Report (GMR 376 dated 28.3.2008), the Government after due assessment, have in all initiated various remedial steps to ensure adequate availability of food stocks in the country and ensure that food security in the country remain sacrosanct. These steps, inter alia, broadly are(i) Fiscal Measures – reduction of tariffs to zero for rice, wheat, pulses, edible oils and maize, to 7.5% on hydrogenated oils and vegetable oils, to 30% on butter and ghee and withdrawing 4% additional CVD on edible oils.
(ii) Administrative Measures like banning of exports of non-basmati rice, wheat, major edible oils, major pulses, imposition of stock limits on rice, wheat, edible oils and oil seeds, periodic enhancements in MSP for rice (Rs.645 per quintal for common rice and Rs.675 per quintal for grade A rice) and wheat (Rs.1000 per quintal), using MEP to regulate exports of onion (currently $ 180 PMT) and basmati rice (currently $1200 PMT), maintaining CIP for rice and wheat and measures taken by Forward Markets Commission, and
(iii) Medium Term Strategy Initiative to increase production through investment of Rs.30,000 crores for improving productivity in agriculture and allied sectors through (a) National Food Security Mission (Rs.4883 crores – prov.) targeted to increase production of rice, wheat and pulses by 10 million tons, 8 million tons and 2 million tons, respectively, by the end of Eleventh Five Year Plan and (b) Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (Rs.25000 crores).
This information was given today by Dr. Akhilesh Prasad Singh, Minister of State for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in written reply in the Lok Sabha.
