05-06-2008, 11:50 AM
<b>India introduces rice export ban </b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The Indian government has banned the export of non-basmati rice to try and control soaring domestic food costs.
The decision, one of a series of measures to curb inflation, was taken during an emergency cabinet meeting.
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<b>Africaâs food aid request puts India in bind</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->New Delhi: Putting the Indian government in a diplomatic bind at a time when risingdomestic food prices are causing political problems, several countries from west and central Africa, as well as Sri Lanka, have appealed for humanitarian food assistance that potentially adds up to some 1 million tonnes (mt) of foodgrains.
Two government officials, who were familiar with the developments but did notwish to be identified, confirmed that requests from these countries had been received by the Prime Ministerâs Office, the commerce ministry and the ministry of external affairs.
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Initial estimates made by the committee suggest that<b> if India were to cater to all the requests, it would need to set aside around 1mt of rice. As on 6 April, India has 13.5mt of rice stored with the Food Corp. of India and state warehouses</b>.
Due to a global shortage, international food prices have risen by 83% in the last three years and several countries, including India, have restricted exports of foograins.
Meanwhile, the Indian government has been battling inflationary pressures, largely on account of rising food prices. It has so far initiated several steps, including tariff reductions, to improve domestic supplies.
Historically, India has shared friendly relations with the African countries.
In April, for instance, India announced a duty-free, quota-free imports regime, from the developing countries of the world, 34 of which are in Africa.<b> The move was aimed at building better relations with nations in a continent where China has stolen a march for natural resources.</b>
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The decision, one of a series of measures to curb inflation, was taken during an emergency cabinet meeting.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<b>Africaâs food aid request puts India in bind</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->New Delhi: Putting the Indian government in a diplomatic bind at a time when risingdomestic food prices are causing political problems, several countries from west and central Africa, as well as Sri Lanka, have appealed for humanitarian food assistance that potentially adds up to some 1 million tonnes (mt) of foodgrains.
Two government officials, who were familiar with the developments but did notwish to be identified, confirmed that requests from these countries had been received by the Prime Ministerâs Office, the commerce ministry and the ministry of external affairs.
............
Initial estimates made by the committee suggest that<b> if India were to cater to all the requests, it would need to set aside around 1mt of rice. As on 6 April, India has 13.5mt of rice stored with the Food Corp. of India and state warehouses</b>.
Due to a global shortage, international food prices have risen by 83% in the last three years and several countries, including India, have restricted exports of foograins.
Meanwhile, the Indian government has been battling inflationary pressures, largely on account of rising food prices. It has so far initiated several steps, including tariff reductions, to improve domestic supplies.
Historically, India has shared friendly relations with the African countries.
In April, for instance, India announced a duty-free, quota-free imports regime, from the developing countries of the world, 34 of which are in Africa.<b> The move was aimed at building better relations with nations in a continent where China has stolen a march for natural resources.</b>
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