India sets up panel for examining requests for wheat export
India has said an inter-ministerial panel has been set up for examining requests from some countries for wheat supply.
However, the Indian government sought a commitment that these consignments would be used only for their local populations and not exported again, reports our New Delhi correspondent.
"I want to give this message very clearly. Friendly nations who have asked us for support, there is an inter-ministerial committee and officers from agriculture, food and foreign ministries are a part of that committee," Commerce, Industry and Food Minister Piyush Goyal told media on Friday.
"Based on the populations of the countries and their genuine requirements, particularly for our neighbouring and our friendly countries, that committee takes a decision and allows the export of wheat. Whichever foreign government will apply, the committee will examine it," Goyal said.
He, however, made it clear that India is insisting that any country "which wants wheat from us should ask only for their local population and not allow it to be exported from there."
Goyal's remarks come after reports that Indian wheat consignments meant for the Netherlands were diverted to Turkey. Goyal said a probe was on as to how it happened.
"An investigation is on but what we have learnt so far is that this consignment was exported by ITC Limited, which is a large and reputed company even globally and there is no doubt on their quality standards and control procedures. You will be shocked to learn that ITC had sold this wheat to the Netherlands and was not even aware that this was for Turkey," he said.
Asked about media reports saying Turkey has rejected Indian wheat, he said India had, in fact, never sent any wheat to that country and no one had raised quality concerns about Indian wheat in the last two years when exports rose sharply.
Goyal said all exports of wheat, including those that were authorized, were being investigated and verified because some people had tried to cheat the ban by 'making back-dated applications and Letters of Credit.
He warned the government will come down strongly on anybody who has tried to backdate an LC and made an application for exports based on irregular documents.
"Even those who have already got authorization based on the online approval process, we are investigating each one of those also to verify. The strongest action will be taken on any exporter who has tried to game the system," Goyal added.
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