Centre partly bends down to hike demand

Mumbai: The central government has partially bowed down to the demands of hiking of  import duty on a few agricultural products, according to Sadabhau Khot, minister of state for agriculture.  

Central government has taken the decision to increase the import duties of yellow greenpeace till 50 per cent. Also, soya bean oil from 12.5 per cent to 17.5 per cent, refined oil from 15 per cent to 25 per cent, crude palm oil from 7 per cent to 15 per cent, wheat import duty becomes double from 10 per cent to 20 per cent. This hike in these products have come as a huge relief to the farmers who were demanding it since long.

“There is no doubt to our commitment to give appropriate price to farmer's produce. Such a huge import duty hike has never taken place before that,” claimed Mr Khot.

Farmers’ community has been demanding for the last two months. Newly appointed chairman of agriculture product value committee, Pasha Patel has raised this issue with state government as well as central government. Recently union minister Nitin Gadkari had chaired a meeting with food and civil supply minister Ramvilas Paawan and agriculture minister Radhamohan Singh in New Delhi. The decision about hiking import duties have been taken after this meeting.

Union government has also taken the decision to lift the export ban on Tur, Moong Dal and Udid Dal.