The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Exporters of rice in a fix over fresh queries

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Sunday, Nov 11, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Exporters of rice in a fix over fresh queries

Correspondent

Plan to meet Chief Minister to sort out the issue

Kakinada: Rice exporters are in a fix over fresh queries being raised by the State Government.

The government has asked them to furnish the source of supply and whether millers who supplied rice met the rules under rice procurement order.

The stance of the government came as a shock to the exporters, as they thought all the hurdles for the export of non-basmati rice have been cleared and only a formal certification is enough for shipment of rice lying in various godowns in and around the port. With great difficulty they have been able to get the Centre’s clearance through the Chief Minister’s personal initiative.

Though the Centre’s notification was issued on November 2, lifting the ban on non-basmati rice exports, the State Government has failed to act immediately.

‘Not encouraging’

“The Central Government, in its order, has clearly stated that non-basmati rice brought to Kakinada city for export till October 10 should be allowed, provided the State Government certifies it.

We hoped that the State Government will come to our rescue.

But the way the things are moving is not encouraging. The queries of The Civil Supplies Commissioner are delaying the matter further,” laments a leading rice exporter. “We have purchased rice from millers and details have already been furnished to authorities. But how can we say whether the stocks sold to us are within the millers’ eligibility of 25per cent of the paddy milled?

Is it not harassing those who are already undergoing severe mental agony and fiscal stress?” questions another exporter.

The exporters are now toying the idea of leading a delegation to the Chief Minister to sort out the issue. It is understood that the government is insisting on getting the information as a majority of rice millers have failed to fulfil thee obligation on supplying rice to the FCI towards levy.

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