Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

12-December-2011 16:22 IST

The requisite details are given below:

The Government of Indonesia has approached Indian Mission in Jakarta to enter into Government to Government (G2G) MOU for purchase of 5 lakh tons of rice from India.

Export of non-basmati rice is presently allowed under Open General License. No decision has been taken for export of rice to Indonesia on diplomatic grounds.

The stock position of rice in the Central pool as on 01.11.2011 is 260.83 lakh tons and the estimated opening balance of rice as on ^1st October, 2012 is likely to be 202.75 lakh tons against the buffer norms and strategic reserve of 72 lakh tons.  This stock is sufficient to meet the domestic consumption of rice under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) as well as other welfare schemes till the next season.

This information was given by Shri Jyotiradiya M. Scindia,  Minister of State for Commerce & Industry   in written reply to a question in  Lok    Sabha today.

DS/GK

Export authorisation for non-basmati rice continues under Open General License with notified allocations and stock sufficiency assurances. Export authorisation for non-basmati rice identifies notified allocations to Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh via specified agencies; a Government-to-Government purchase request from Indonesia has been received but not decided; exports continue to be permitted under an Open General License; Central pool stock levels are stated to be sufficient to meet domestic TPDS and welfare scheme requirements while retaining buffer and strategic reserves.