All-party delegation to urge PM to lift ban on maize export

Patna, Jul 30 (UNI) Bihar Agriculture Minister Nagmani today informed the state Legislative Council that an all-party delegation would soon meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and request him to lift the ban on the export of maize.

Replying to a question in a special debate in the Upper House on the situation arising out of the ban on export of maize by the Centre, Mr Nagmani said the maize growers in Bihar had been adversely affected by the decision.

He said the market price of maize had come down alarmingly after the ban on its export and farmers were finding it hard to recover even the production costs.

''Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has also written a letter to the Prime Minister, urging him to lift the ban on export of maize in the interest of the farmers of the state,'' the minister informed, adding he would personally meet Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar in this regard soon.

Mr Nagmani also informed the House that the state government had decided to establish a ''food park'' in Muzaffarpur and Bhagalpur with a total investment of Rs 1,600 crore.

UNI KKS DPM ARB GC1500