In
an attempt to increase domestic supply and to bring down
prices, the government has notified duty free wheat import
by private traders.
Agriculture
and Food Minister Sharad Pawar said, "Private traders
from today can import wheat at zero duty instead of the
current 5%,".
The
private wheat import duty was brought down to 5 per cent
from 50 per cent in June this year to curb rising prices.
However, the State Trading Corporation (STC) has been
importing duty free wheat on behalf of the government
to augment buffer stock since February
this year when a six-year ban on the import was lifted.
The
concession for the private traders will be valid for the
next four to five months.
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