The government has extended the ban on export of rice, except aromatic ones, by another year, commerce ministry officials said. They said that the ministry on June 17 issued an order in this connection to be effective from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015.
The ban on rice export has been extended to boost supply of rice in the local market and control its prices, they said.
However. exporters will be allowed to ship aromatic rice till June 30, 2015, they said.
Meanwhile, import of rice has increased in recent months despite bumper production in the country. Rice price has been on decline for last few months on the international market.
The commerce ministry is also considering imposing a ban on export of chilli, aubergine, cucumber and coriander leaves during Ramadan, the fasting month of the Muslim, to keep the prices of the essential commodities under purchasing power of the consumers, a high official of the ministry told New Age on Sunday.
‘We are observing the price situation of the products in the local market as the Ramadan is approaching nearer. The decision may come within the current week after getting approval from the commerce minister,’ he said.
Export of chilli, aubergine, cucumber and coriander leaves during Ramadan was prohibited last year also.
Traders allegedly hike prices of the essentials creating artificial crisis during Ramadan to make extra profit as the demand of these
items increases significantly in the month.
The country is experiencing a rainy season which hampers the production of some vegetables including chilli, augerbine, cucumber and coriander leaves and traders use the season as an excuse to hike the prices, officials said.
Considering the experience in previous years, the ministry is actively considering for imposition of
ban on export of the four items, they said.
-With New Age input
