Ban on export of non-basmati rice to Bangaldesh

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb 10: Mr. Chander Bhan, the Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) informed today in Kolkata about the prohibition of export of Non-Basmati rice to all land port stations in West Bengal following the notification of the Director General of Foreign Trade , Mr RS Gujral. The ministry of commerce & industry, department of commerce of the union government, had published the notification regarding the prohibition of export of Non-Basmati rice in the public interest on 7 February. The commissioner of customs intimated the notification to all land customs stations located India-Bangladesh border in the state on 8 February to stop export of rice to Bangladesh. Following this order hundreds trucks were stranded in Mahedipur land customs station in English Bazaar and other land ports in north and South Bengal. On the other hand, exporters today protested against the decision to ban on rice export in Malda when the Mahedipur customs officials prevented rice laden trucks from entering Bangladesh. One of the leaders of local exporters, Mr. Ujjal Saha claimed that the assistant general manager, agriculture and processed food product export development authorities, Mr. Vinod K Kaul informed them through e-mail that “export of non basmati rice at US$ 500/TFOB is permitted.“We are confused about the notification regarding prohibition of export of Non-Basmati rice. If the ban is not lifted soon, we will start agitating in front of the office of the commissioner of customs in Kolkata on Tuesday”, Mr Saha said. It may be noted that huge quantities of rice which had been collected from Malda district and other areas was being allegedly smuggled into Bangladesh. A team from the enforcement department and some senor officials of the district distribution, procurement and food supplies department started an inquiry into the allegation. The India government had relaxed prohibition on rice export to Bangladesh when the country was hit by Sidr .