Hooda to approach PM for lifting of rice export ban

Chandigarh, Oct 22 (UNI) Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today assured the farmers of the state that he would make efforts to get the ban on export of non-basmati rice lifted immediately.

Mr Hooda said he would call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and take up the issue.

The Chief Minister stated this while talking to media persons at Rohtak after redressing the grievances of the people.

He asserted that with the imposition of ban on the export of non-basmati rice, the farmers and the traders both had to bear the loss.

He said he had already talked to Union Commerce Minister Kamal Nath and urged him to take back the decision keeping in view the interest of the farming community of the country.

Mr Hooda maintained that Union Commerce Minister had assured him that the interest of the farming community would be protected at all cost.

The Chief Minister said he himself belonged to the farming community and was well versed with the problems faced by the paddy growers.

He exuded confidence that the Central government would roll back its decision and non-basmati rice would be allowed to be exported again.

Regarding his recent foreign visit, Mr Hooda said wherever he had gone with the delegation, the entrepreneurs had shown keen interest in setting up of their ventures in India and especially in Haryana.

He asserted that his foreign visit would be a milestone and it would be positive step in the development of the state.

During the visit, Mr Hooda said a number of investors had assured the delegation to invest in Haryana. With huge investments, a number of employment opportunities would be generated and lakhs of people would get employment in the state.

UNI