Date:25/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/25/stories/2007102554090600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

MLA fears threat to port’s survival

Correspondent

Seeks lifting of ban on rice export

Kakinada: The ban imposed on non-Basmati rice exports will have repercussions not only on the shipping trade, but also on thousands of workers depended upon the port and the very survival of the anchorage port is doubtful, according to Mutha Gopalakrishna, MLA and honorary president of the Port Cargo Boats and Steel Barges Workers’ Union.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, he said it was a blunder to ban the rice exports without giving a serious thought to the possible repercussions.

“We have abundant rice stocks as the area of paddy cultivation has gone up multi-fold countrywide. What would you do with these stocks? What about the fresh crop coming into the market? It appears that the Union Cabinet did not give a serious thought to this issue before taking the vital decision,” the MLA said.

‘Lack of understanding’

Mr. Gopalakrishna, who was a former State Minister in-charge of civil supplies, opined that proper understanding was lacking among Cabinet Ministers on rice production and domestic consumption. He did not agree with the plea that imposition of ban was necessary for maintaining buffer stocks but blamed the FCI for lagging behind in the targeted procurement.

He made a fervent appeal to the Chief Minister and MPs in the State to prevail upon the Centre to reconsider the decision and lift the ban on rice exports without further delay.