Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 13: All India Rice Exporters Association has appealed the Government to abolish toll tax on export of Basmati rice from the State.
In a reminder letter to Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Advisor to Governor on Agriculture Production Department, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, the Association president Vijay Setia has explained that the State Government is levying a toll tax of Rs 100/Qtl on paddy of Basmati rice meant for exports apart from all other goods, which is resulting in losses to farmers who fetch lesser realization.
“This levy is hindering movement of rice from Jammu for export purposes as it adds to the cost of the product. Basmati rice today is faced with several difficulties and the industry is struggling to keep itself afloat in the international market. Also, with GST regime in place, this levy is an incremental burden on the export of basmati rice,” the letter further reads.
Reminding that Basmati rice of Jammu has brought the State on the export map of India, the Association has requested the Government of J&K to kindly consider abolishing this toll tax so that the export of basmati rice form the State can be augmented which will not only be helpful to farmers and exporters but also all stakeholders in the complete supply/value chain.
“We would be grateful if the State Government can take an early action in the matter since the Basmati paddy harvesting is almost completed and movement for processing in State-of-the-art mills elsewhere is the need of the hour,” the Association said and reiterated that under various specific SROs, Govt of J&K has already exempted levy of toll tax on several agricultural products.
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