*Paromita Das
Chidambaram stated that if procurement had occurred, there would have been no need to prohibit wheat exports.
Udaipur: The Congress slammed the government’s ban on wheat exports on Saturday, calling it an “anti-farmer” measure that deprives farmers of the benefits of higher export prices.
India has banned wheat exports with immediate effect, according to an official notification, as part of measures to control rising domestic prices. At a press conference on the second day of the Congress’ ongoing ‘Chintan Shivir’ here, senior leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram was asked about the government’s move “I’m guessing it’s because the central government didn’t get enough wheat. Wheat production has not decreased; in fact, it has remained relatively constant. In fact, it could be slightly higher.”
Chidambaram stated that a Chhattisgarh minister informed him on Friday that the state government had purchased 97 lakh tons of paddy.
He claimed that if procurement had occurred, there would have been no need to prohibit wheat exports. “But, let me add, prohibiting wheat exports is an anti-farmer measure. It prevents farmers from benefiting from higher export prices. It is an anti-farmer measure, which is not surprising given that this government has never been particularly friendly to farmers “Chidambaram explained.
In a May 13 notification, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) stated, “The export policy of wheat is prohibited with immediate effect.”
However, export shipments for which irrevocable letters of credit (LoC) were issued on or before the date of this notification will be permitted, according to the DGFT.
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