The Government will take the final decision on sugar export in the first week of next month. Consumer Affairs Minister K V Thomas told reporters in New Delhi today that his Ministry is preparing a note on the sugar produced this season. The note will be submitted to the Empowered Group of Ministers EGoM by the end of this month. Mr Thomas said, the EGoM will take the ultimate decision on the quantum of sugar to be allowed for export. Stating that there is difference of perception over sugar production, Mr. Thomas said that his Ministry estimates the production to be around 246 lakh tonnes while the Agricultural Ministry has pegged the figure at nearly 250 lakh tonnes. Replying to questions on rising food inflation, Mr. Thomas said that cold storage facilities and transportation, needs to be improved to cut additional costs. Earlier, releasing the Operational report of the Food Corporation of India for the year 2010-11, Mr. Thomas emphasised the need for bringing in transparency in the functioning of the Corporation. According to the report, there has been an increase of over 27 lakh million tonnes in storage capacity of FCI in 2010-11 compared to previous year.