India talking to other nations for rice import
New Delhi: India has begun reaching out to
governments of other nations for import of rice to overcome
shortage in the domestic market, Commerce and Industry
Minister Anand Sharma said today.
"Talks have started. Prices will be negotiated," he told
reporters on the sidelines of the State Industry Ministers
meeting here.
He said Thailand is one of the countries India is talking
to in this regard.
Indian PSUs have already floated global tenders for rice
import, but the price quoted in some of the bids is not what
the government is looking at.
The issue of rice import is likely to be discussed by
an Empowered group of Ministers on November 20, Sharma said.
The eGom headed by Pranab Mukherjee will also review the
price situation of food items.
In Kharif (summer) season, rice production is estimated
to have dropped by 15 million tonnes.
On industry's demand for banning cotton exports on the
back of increasing prices in the domestic market, Sharma said,
"Textiles Ministry has written to us. It is engaging our
attention. We are talking to the stakeholders."
Bureau Report