Govt to decide on lifting export ban on wheat, onion

The government is likely to take a decision in the next few days on the proposal to lift ban on exports of onion and wheat in view of their bumper production. The empowered group of ministers (EGoM) on food, headed by Finance Minister Paranab Mukherjee, is expected to meet “sometime this week”, said a source.

While the Agriculture Ministry is pushing for lifting of the export ban, Commerce and Finance Ministries are being cautious in view of the experience of past few months that has seen food inflation soar to over 17 per cent. It fell to about 13 per cent, as of January end, but is still considered high for comfort.

“There are number of issues (to be discussed by the EGoM this week).