An avoidable ban

Restrictions on rice exports can be counterproductive

The government’s decision to ban the export of all types of rice, barring Basmati and parboiled rice, seems to have been influenced by the political exigencies to protect domestic supplies and prices ahead of the impending Assembly polls in some key states and the Lok Sabha elections next year, but its repercussions have been felt globally. International rice prices, ruling at their highest level in 11 years, have begun to escalate further. In some cases, the prices of cargo in transit have also been hiked by $50-100 a tonne. India, of late, emerged as the world’s leading rice exporter, accounting