Mr.KV.Thomas, the union minister of food said the decision permitting export of sugar for the 2011 – 2012 will be taken by the government on November 21.

The Finance minister Mr.Pranab Mukerjee headed Empowered Group of Ministers (EGOM) is to meet on November 21 to make discussion on the prospects of export of sugar and other issues.

Even though the Union Minister of food did not divulge the fact on the export quantity that will be permitted on November 21, some Food ministry sources said that initially five laths tones of sugar will be permitted for export under the scheme of Open General License(OGL).

The food Minister met the finance minster to formulate and agreement in advance to the EGOM meeting. Apart from discussing on sugar exports, the EGOM will also review on the limit of stock holding on sugar and on rice. A policy on foodgrains purchase intended for the families under the BPL and APL will also be reviewd by the EGOM. In order to drive the diplomatic intiative of the government, the EGOM will also endorse food grin exports to some of the select African nations.

Since the final estimation on the production of foodgrains was not confirmed, the scheduled October EGOM meeting was cancelled.However in view of the forthcoming elections in some states; it seems politics may overrule economics.