Mamata Banerjee demands extension on exemption of customs duty on export to 'Gobindobhog' rice

Kolkata, Nov 3: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday (Nov 2) requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to issue necessary instructions for extending an exemption of the customs duty on export to the premium aromatic variety 'Gobindobhog' rice at the earliest.

 

 

 

 

In a letter to PM Modi, Banerjee said that the Gobindobhog rice variety is very popular particularly for offering to the Almighty throughout the country and also abroad, especially in Europe and gulf countries and enjoys good demand. CM Banerjee said that along with the extension of production in areas suitable for this premium variety of Gobindobhog rice, "we have also been encouraging its export to create sustained demand abroad for this premium variety."

 

 

 

 

 

"Pure Gobindobhog rice is grown in a few districts of West Bengal and it has been awarded Geographic identification on Oct 24, 2017. It fetches a much higher price than the MSP for rice. In our efforts since 2011 to enhance the income of our farmers, we have been promoting the production of this premium variety Gobindobhog in suitable areas substituting coarse grain rice," the WB CM said in a letter.

 

The Chief Minister said that Gobindobhog rice is demanded in other countries including in the gulf region like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and others. "Unfortunately, the Government of India has imposed a 20 per cent Customs Duty on rice vide notification no. 49/2022 dated Sept 8, 2022. As a result of which the export business of the premium Gobindobhog variety, developed through years of efforts, has been 'badly affected with a negative impact on the demand and domestic price of the paddy and hence on the income of farmers," said Banerjee.