(a) whether the selling of imported rice in the open market is cheaper than the rice sold
under P.D.S.;
(b) if so, whether the Government are aware that such circumstances encourage the
black-marketeers to store the imported rice from the open market causing P.D.S. rice more
costlier for the people;
(c) if so, whether the Government are aware that the rice eating State of Tamil Nadu will be the most affected; and
(d) if so, the remedial steps taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
( SHRI SRIRAM CHAUHAN )
(a), (b) & (c) : As per the condition stipulated in the current Export and Import (EXIM)
Policy of the Government, only rice with 50% or more brokens can be imported freely. However,
under the Public Distribution System (PDS), the rice, which is distributed has a maximum limit
of 25% brokens. The prices of these two different varieties of rice therefore are not
comparable.
(d) To curb import of rice on private account and to make it more costlier, Government has
imposed duty upto 80% on import of husked (brown) rice and broken rice, and upto 70% on
semi-milled and wholly milled rice.