Govt will export surplus agri-commodities: Sharma

"What is exportable surplus available will be exported and for the commodities for which we do not have exportable surplus we will take an appropriate view," Commerce Minister Anand Sharma told reporters when asked if government plans to ban export of agri-products due to drought like conditions.

The minister said there is adequate stock of wheat, rice and sugar in the country.

"I don't forsee a situation that India will have any shortfall of foodgrains and food security of the people will be ensured," he said after meeting Finance Minister P Chidambaram.

Stating that the country faces a shortfall in pulses and edible oils, Sharma said: "What India needs to import are edible oil and pulses and for that the final figures will be known once the Agriculture Ministry gives the crop sizes.

There is always a shortfall of pulses and edible oil." Earlier this week, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar had opposed any move to ban sugar export in a bid to contain price rise.

"I do not think that kind of thinking is there. I have not received any proposal to ban export of these items," he had said when asked whether the government may ban export of commodities like wheat, rice, maize and cotton to contain prices.

India had lifted the ban on wheat and non-basmati exports in September 2011. The country is estimated to export 3.5 million tonnes in 2011-12.