Are wheat and rice export almost nationalised?
While restrictions on the export of rice continue, the government is permitting certain quantities to be exported on diplomatic considerations. These relaxations from export restrictions are decided by the ministry of external affairs in consultation with the ministry of food and public distribution
On November 30, 2023, the Director General of Foreign Trade notified the quantities of export of rice allowed to Mali, Senegal, Gambia and Indonesia. In the same notification, the quantity of wheat and wheat products permitted for export to Bhutan was also notified. More importantly, the notification states that this export will be permitted through the National Cooperatives Exports Limited (NCEL). Does it mean that India’s exports of wheat and rice are now nationalised? Will the sugar exports also be canalised through NCEL?
NCEL is registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Society Act, 2002. Its promoters include Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) which owns Amul, India’s most popular milk brand, National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) and Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) and Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO). The National Co-operative Development Corporation (NCDC), a statutory corporation, is also one of the promoters.
It should be recalled that wheat export was banned on May 13, 2022. On September 8, 2022, the export of broken rice was also banned by the government and a 20 percent export duty was imposed on shipments of raw white (non-parboiled) non-basmati rice. The export of basmati rice and parboiled non-basmati rice was however exempted from export duty. On July 20, 2023, the export of non-basmati white rice was also banned but export of par-boiled rice was permitted. On August 25, 2023, a 20 percent duty was imposed on the export of parboiled non-basmati rice. This was to remain effective till October 15, 2023. However, on October 13, 2023, the export duty was extended to March 31, 2024.
Source Link :- https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/opinion/are-wheat-and-rice-export-almost-nationalised-11840011.html
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