Punjab to retain MDF, RDF on basmati at 2 pc

The Punjab government today said it has decided to retain the market development fee (MDF) and the rural development fee (RDF) on basmati variety of paddy at 2 per cent.
A spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said Chief Minister Amarinder Singh cleared the file to pave the way for retention of these fees.
The decision follows a request from the Punjab Basmati Exporters, which had urged the Chief Minister to retain the fees at the existing rates in order to encourage basmati cultivation and to help sustain competitiveness of the industry in domestic and international basmati trade.