Chandigarh, Aug 30 (KNN) The Punjab president of the Rice Millers and Exporters Association, Bal Krishan Bali, urged the government to reconsider the curb on basmati rice consignments being sold overseas for less than USD 1,200 a tonne.

The Union government has temporarily halted export of any basmati rice consignment being sold overseas for less than USD 1,200 a tonne, while shipments contracted above that price threshold will continue to be allowed, according to an order issued on Saturday.

"India is set to lose its large customer base. Many exporters already have large orders for rice at an average price of USD 850 to USD 900 per metric tonnes in process, while some have shipments in the pipeline. Some export contracts have already been registered with APEDA and banks," he said.

Raising another issue facing the industry, Ranjit Singh Jossan, vice president of the association, said steamed rice and white rice have the same harmonized system of nomenclature (HSN), a code classification needed for export.

"The steam rice, a premium variety produced through a distinct manufacturing process, shares the same HSN code as white rice. This classification has unintended consequences, as restrictions imposed on white rice inadvertently affect steam rice as well. There is an urgent need to differentiate the HSN code for steam rice," Jossan said.  (KNN Bureau)