With its granaries brimming over, the government faces a crippling dilemma: The tab for releasing foodgrain to make way for new arrivals adds up to Rs 20,000-25,000 crore, an unviable addition to the subsidy bill. The government's bind was succinctly outlined by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee when he told a meeting called by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday that vacating food silos will mean a hefty cost at a time...
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Record foodgrain estimate won’t lead to lower prices-Ruchira Singh
Rice, wheat production seen at highest ever, but other commodities show a decline from previous year’s harvest The government estimated a record high foodgrain crop for the 2011-12 crop year that ends in June, driven mainly by higher output of rice and wheat, but experts said prices are likely to remain firm and keep inflation at around 7%. The likelihood that the government will increase the minimum prices it guarantees farmers for...
More »CCI imposes Rs 317cr fine on 3 firms for collusive bidding
-PTI Competition watchdog CCI has imposed Rs 317 crore in penalties on three companies, including agro-chemicals major United Phosphorus, for collusive bidding to supply ALP tablets to Food Corporation of India (FCI). The aluminium phosphide (ALP) tablet manufacturers -- United Phosphorus, Excel Crop Care, and Sandhya Organics -- have been fined 9 per cent of the their three years' average profits. ALP tablets are used by the FCI for preserving its central pool...
More »Putative farmer-friendly policy killing rural prosperity, hurting farmers-TK Arun
Rural India has been denied access to globalisation, penalising farmers and farm labour. For the farmer, the government's policy is best described as Dhritarashtra's embrace. After the Mahabharata war was over, the old king met his nephews, the victorious Pandavas, and embraced them, one by one, in a gesture of forgiving and affection. When, Bhima's turn came, the loving embrace was so tight that it crushed a metal dummy of the second...
More »Brace for price rise, kharif MSP may be raised up to 30%-Rituraj Tiwari
Consumers may have to pay substantially more for pulses, oilseed, and rice in the coming months if the government accepts the recommendations of an expert panel to increase farm-gate price of these commodities by up to 30%, further stoking food inflation. The Commission on Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), under the ministry of agriculture, has recommended a 25% rise in the floor price of cotton, 16% rise in paddy, 30% rise...
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