Exporters not to buy basmati from state

Chandigarh, September 10

Rice exporters in Punjab will not make any basmati purchase from the state. They will instead buy it from neighbouring Haryana.

A decision to this effect was taken by the Punjab Rice Exporters Association after talks with the state government over withdrawal of market fee and rural development fund remained inconclusive today.

"We have asked the government to withdraw 4.35 per cent rural development fee, market fee and cancer cess on basmati to help us remain competitive in the market. Besides this, we also have to bear 2.5 per cent commission of arhtiyas and transportation cost. This works out to be almost 8 per cent additional cost," said Ashok Sethi, Director, Punjab Rice Millers Export Association. — TNS

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