New Delhi, Oct 23: The government has announced the exemption of export duty on parboiled rice and husked (brown) rice, effective from October 22. In a late-night notification issued by the finance ministry, the export duty has been reduced from 10 percent to zero for parboiled rice, husked (brown) rice, and rice in the husk (paddy or rough).

Sources indicate that the Election Commission has approved this duty cut, with the stipulation that it should not be leveraged for political advantage, especially with elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra approaching next month.

This recent decision follows last month’s exemption of non-basmati white rice from export duty. Previously, the government had reduced the levy on parboiled rice, husked brown rice, and rice in the husk from 20 percent to 10 percent. Additionally, the minimum export price for basmati rice has been eliminated to encourage outbound shipments and enhance farmers’ income.