DGFT Regional Offices To Issue Onion Export Licences.

New Delhi, (PTI) Exporters of two onion varieties -- Bangalore Rose and Krishnapuram -- can now get licences from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade''s (DGFT''s) regional offices.

"To facilitate early issue of licences, it has been decided that intending exporters of Bangalore Rose and Krishnapuram onion may seek such licence from their respective regional authorities rather than coming to headquarter office of DGFT at Delhi," the DGFT said.

Also, it asked the regional authorities to send a weekly report of the licences issued.

On February 10, an Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) led by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, allowed exports of these varieties as they are consumed less in India.

The exports of these varieties were earlier placed under the restricted category.

The government has banned exports of onion, including these varities, in December, 2010 to rein in the soaring prices that touched Rs 85 per kg in that month.

According to the agriculture ministry''s estimate, onion production is likely to be lower at 12.2 million tonnes this 2010-11, against 13.6 million tonnes in 2009-10.

Source : news.in.msn.com