Rice exporters on Thursday demanded immediate withdrawal of the notification that allowed overseas sales of Pusa-1121 variety, saying that permitting its shipment under non-basmati category would degrade the value of the premium quality rice which is the world’s longest grain.
The Director General of Foreign Trade under the Commerce Ministry yesterday issued a notification allowing exports of Pusa-1121 variety of non-basmati rice from October 15.
It also fixed the minimum export price (MEP) at $1,200 (Rs 48,000) a tonne. Flaying the decision of the Commerce Ministry, All India Rice Exporters Association President vijay Sethia said: “This (notification) is totally wrong. It should be immediately recalled”.
By declaring the Pusa-1121 variety as a non- basmati rice, the Commerce Ministry has undermined the value of the premium variety, he added.
Sethia feared that foreign buyers would not pay the price which Pusa 1121 was fetching in the international market if it continues to be treated as non-basmati.
The scientists have already agreed that Pusa-1121 is basmati rice, he said, adding Punjab Government has also issued a notification in April this year declaring Pusa 1121 as basmati. Industry sources said exporters were already shipping the Pusa-1121 variety as basmati rice for last three years.
