An Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on Food, headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, has decided to extend the ban on export of pulses for one more year. Talking to reporters after the EGoM meeting on Tuesday, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Sharad Pawar said that the concessions for import of pulses will also continue. The EGoM has also decided to release to states five million tonnes of wheat and rice for Public Distribution System for both BPL and APL families. Mr. Pawar added that stockholding of sugar will continue for three months. The Minister added that this year the production of sugar will be around 24.5 million tonnes in the 2010-11 crop year against the annual demand of 22 million tonnes. Earlier in the day, the Cabinet Secretariat also reviewed prices of essential commodities with secretaries of key ministries, including agriculture and consumer affairs.