1.   

India Government Agency Probes Wal-Mart Investments

An Indian government agency is investigating allegations that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) violated legal restrictions on foreign investment in the retail industry, Trade Minister Anand Sharma said. The government received complaints alleging Wal-Mart invested in the retail industry before a September decision to loosen rules, Sharma told parliament today.

2.   

Fruit, vegetable exports up 24% in 2011-12

The export of fruit and vegetables, including processed food items, have risen 24 per cent in value terms to Rs 8,241 crore in 2011-12 over Rs 6,638 crore in the previous year. This information was given by the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry D. Purandeswari in a written reply to Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Exports of onions fell marginally to Rs 1,723 crore in 2011-12 against Rs 1,779 crore in the previous year. Fresh vegetables were up 43 per cent at Rs 1,299 crore (Rs 910 crore).

3.   

Enhancing Cold Storage Capacity in the Country through Various Schemes

Government proposes to enhance existing cold storage capacity in the country by providing assistance for setting up of cold storages through various schemes listed above and by providing other concessions in service tax, excise & custom duty.The component of cold storages under these schemes is project based. All India Coordinated Research Project on Post-harvest Technology, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) conducted a study at National level and printed the report in September, 2012.

4.   

Drop in quantity of damaged foodgrains: Government

There has been a sharp fall in the quantity of damaged foodgrains over the past decade, government told the Lok Sabha today. "In the year 2002-03, the quantity of damaged foodgrains was about 1.35 lakh tonnes...The damage has come down to 0.014 lakh tonnes," Food Minister K V Thomas said during Question Hour. He said the Food Corporation of India and Government of India have taken all measures so that no rotting of foodgrains takes place.