News Snapshot:
The government has banned export of broken rice to check rising retail prices and boost domestic supply after a fall in sowing area is projected to lower the country's production by 10-12 million tonne this kharif season. A 20 per cent export duty has also been imposed on non-basmati rice except for the par-boiled, to discourage exports. Explaining the rationale behind the ban, Food Secretary Sudhanshu Pandey told reporters that there has been an ''absolutely abnormal'' rise in shipments of broken rice and the broken grains were also not available in sufficient quantity for animal feed as well as ethanol...
