Foodgrain output to fall by 10%: Pawar

Govt Expects To Make Up In Next Season NewDelhi:Country's foodgrains production is projected to decline by 10% in the kharif season of this year at 117.18 million tonne due to deficient monsoon and drought in some states.      However, the government expects to make up for the decline in output during the Rabi season (winter sown crop). Foodgrains output stood at 129.94 million tonnes (MT) in last year's Kharif season. The production of rice — a major Kharif crop — is expected to fall to 85.59 MT compared with 91.53 MT in the last Kharif (summer crops).      "As per the first advance estimate, total foodgrains production is expected at 117.18 million tonnes in the kharif season of 2012-13 crop year, lower than the last year but higher than the average production of 113 million tonnes in the last five years," agriculture minister Sharad Pawar told reporters here.      "Whatever shortfall we have seen in kharif season will be covered in rabi," the minister said.      Pulses production is estimated at 5.26 MT in Kharif this year against 6.16 MT last year, he said, adding the production of coarse cereals is estimated to fall to 26.33 MT from 32.26 MT.      Deficiency of monsoon stands at 5% so far. Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan have declared drought in over 390 taluks.      Asked if fall in foodgrains output will impact prices, Pawar said: "Last year's stock position of wheat and rice is extremely good. There is no problem. I am worried prices of wheat, atta and sugar are going up in the market. I do not understand the reason".  Surplus grain sale plan irrational: CPM  New Delhi: Opposing government's decision to sell 10 million tonnes of surplus food stock to bulk consumers, CPM on Monday demanded immediate reversal and said the stock should have gone to those in hunger.      "The government through this decision intends to transfer food subsidy as largesse and to benefit traders and manufacturers, including big companies, and not to those in hunger and food insecurity," CPM politburo said in a statement. Disputing government's claim that the move was intended to control prices, the party said it is "totally irrational." If government was interested in controlling prices, "a most obvious step would be to increase supplies through PDS," it added. TNN