Govt rules out rice imports

The government on Thursday ruled out importing rice in the wake of a massive depletion of stocks in central pool which fell 46 per cent to 109 lakh tonnes in November 2003 as compared to 205 lakh tonnes in the same month of the previous year.

"The total stock of rice available in the central pool as on November 1 this year is 109 lakh tonnes. The government is not contemplating importing the commodity," Minister of State for Food and Public Distribution Subhash Maharia said.

In reply to questions in the Rajya Sabha, he said as on December 3, total procurement of rice was 90.62 lakh tonnes as against 86.43 lakh tonnes last year. Total procurement of rice in the 2003-04 season is expected to be 200 lakh tonnes.

"The stocks of wheat and rice available in the pool are enough to meet the requirement under the targeted public distribution system and welfare schemes," he added.

He said rice stocks had more than doubled to 109 lakh tonnes as on November 1, 2003, against 52.41 lakh tonnes on October 1, 2003. Wheat stocks declined from 184.27 lakh tones as on October 1, to 164.13 lakh tonnes on the corresponding day of November.

Total stocks of foodgrains as on November 1, 2003, were 273.13 lakh tonnes against a minimum buffer requirement of 181 lakh tonnes.

Rail rakes for transportation of export foodgrains were provided as per indents registered on their turn and priority, he added.