Share rice export profits with Farmers: Lok Satta

Although belated, the Government of India decision to permit unconditional export of non-basmati rice is welcome, said Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma and Secretary P. Bhaskara Rao in a media statement here today.

They recalled the efforts put in by the Lok Satta and other parties and independent farmers’ organizations on rice exports and said that the relaxation in the ban on exports comes after farmers have marketed their produce. The decision will benefit mostly rice traders, they added.

The Lok Satta leaders wanted the Government of India to canalize exports through State undertakings like the FCI, STC, MMTC and PEC and share the profits with farmers. The Government could levy a cess on rice exports by traders and share it with farmers.

Mr. Varma and Mr. Bhaskara Rao said the Government should facilitate rice exports after taking care of internal demand so that the farmer gets a fair price for his produce. Even the Mohan Kanda Committee appointed by the State Government to go into the crop holiday being observed by paddy growers in parts of the State has underlined the need for rice exports.

State undertakings should take up rice exports at least from the coming kharif season, they said.