Govt mulls sending surplus rice as aid to conflict-hit Iran

NEW DELHI: Govt is likely to allow wheat export to Egypt, Indonesia and Myanmar considering surplus stock, while shipments of rice may start for countries, including war-hit Iran, on humanitarian grounds, officials said.

Food Corporation of India is sitting on a huge surplus of rice and wheat, and there is a dire need to free up space in govt godowns in Punjab and Haryana to store fresh winter crops, reports Dipak Dash.




TOI has learned that a high-level meeting in the PMO this week took note of the excess stock. "Options will be explored on how to export more wheat, rice and onions by ships, while more quantities of basmati rice and other high-value food items can be sent by air to countries. Since the supply chain has been disrupted because of the West Asia conflict, the requirement will surge," said an official.

Officials said at the meeting, which was attended by a group of secretaries monitoring the situation, the shipping ministry was advised to explore how bulk carriers could ship food items when they head to Gulf countries to pick up fresh cargo.