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    India is not in favour of extending blanket exemptions from export restrictions under the aegis of the WTO on food grains purchased for the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) as it would restrict its policy space to deal with domestic food security concerns, an official statement said on Saturday. In the agriculture sector, the proponents on export restrictions are seeking outcome on two issues - exemption of food material purchased for non-commercial humanitarian purposes by the WFP from the application of export restrictions, and advance notification of export restrictive measures. These issues would figure in the 12th ministerial conference (MC) of the World Trade Organization (WTO), beginning here from June 12. MC is the highest decision making body of the 164-member organisation. It is meeting after a gap of four years. The Indian delegation at the conference is headed by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. Discussions on the agri sector are significant in the WTO as the supply chain of food grains in the global markets has been affected due to the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. Under the WTO rules, members can temporarily impose export prohibitions or restrictions to prevent or relieve critical shortages of food material or other products essential to the country.

    Which of the following is/are the outcomes of the Public distribution system (PDS)?

    (I)- It has helped in stabilising food prices and making food available to the poor at affordable prices

    (II)- It has helped in redistribution of grains by supplying food from surplus regions of the country to deficient regions.

    (III)- It has arrangements with Similar Systems of other nations to procure food grains so that the flow of food remain active even during the period of less agricultural food production.

    A Only I Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B I & II Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C Only III Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D I, II, & III Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    E I & III Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    Importance of PDS It helps in ensuring Food and Nutritional Security of the nation. It has helped in stabilising food prices and making food available to the poor at affordable prices. It maintains the buffer stock of food grains in the warehouse so that the flow of food remain active even during the period of less agricultural food production. It has helped in redistribution of grains by supplying food from surplus regions of the country to deficient regions. The system of minimum support price and procurement has contributed to the increase in food grain production  

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