CCEA Partly Lifts Export Ban On Non-Basmati Rice

The Cabinet on October 25 partly lifted the ban on export of non-basmati rice imposed on October 9. The Cabinet has decided to withdraw the ban on export of premium non-basmati rice priced above $425 per tonne, said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshi. The decision comes after a meeting between Commerce Minister Kamal Nath, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on October 23.

The ban was opposed by exporters and farmers as it led to lower prices in the domestic market and deprived them the benefits of lucrative prices abroad. The commerce ministry opposed the ban as it led to loss of international clients. The Cabinet also reiterated its earlier decision to terminate the purchase preference policy for products and services of central public sector enterprises from March 31 next year. The decision was taken after the Supreme Court''s May 18 order for a review of the policy within four months of the date of the judgment.