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THE Exim policy 2002-07 has facilitated unrestrained export of maize from India due to removal of quantitative restrictions (QR) but it appears it is not the case with import of maize that continues to come under quota restrictions.
If one goes by what the poultry sector says, the removal of QR as far as maize export is concerned may worry poultry farmers, who use maize for feed making. They fear unrestricted exports might lead to surge in the prices of maize in the local market. Maize farmers can now export any quantity, provided they have a ready export market for their produce.
But right now what piques the poultry sector post-Exim policy is that while the Union Commerce Ministry has lifted QR for most agri-products, the Union Agriculture Ministry has not removed ceiling for import of maize nor has it made import of maize duty free and under open general licence.
This, according to poultry farmers, is causing an anomalous situation. For the year 2002, the Central Government has allowed import of 4.5 tonnes maize under the tariff rate quota regime at 15 per cent customs duty on actual-user condition.
However, domestic maize users are yet to utilise the facility as the landed cost of the imported consignment together with the 15 per cent customs duty makes it a costly proposition. The landed cost of maize at 15 per cent duty at present is said to be at $130 per tonne and if freight is also added to it, the maize imported will cost in the Rs 7,200- 7500 range, they say.
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