Haryana rice exporters want reduction in market fee on basmati paddy

Tribune News Service

Karnal, August 4

The Haryana Rice Exporters Association (HREA) demanded a reduction in market fee and the Haryana Rural Development Fund (HRDF) on basmati paddy.

Fee refundable in UP, Punjab

In nearby states such as Punjab, Uttarakhand and UP, the market fee and RDF are refundable on export. Besides, electricity rates, labour charges and other expense are already higher in Haryana than the charges in nearby states. Sushil Jain, State prez, HREA

A delegation of exporters met the Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, the CA, Haryana Agricultural Marketing Board, and other senior officers on Wednesday.

They highlighted the difference between the market and other fee of the neighbouring states with that of Haryana. At present, basmati farmers have to pay 6.5 per cent fees comprising 2 per cent market fee, 2 per cent HRDF and 2.5 per cent arhtiyas commission, while all fees are 3 per cent in Delhi, 4.5 per cent in Punjab, 3.25 per cent in Rajasthan, 3 per cent in UP and Uttarakhand, 1.70 per cent in MP, they informed the higher authorities of both departments.

Vijay Setia, former president of the All-India Rice Exporters Association, said the government had increased the market fee on basmati paddy from 0.5 per cent to 2 per cent last year. It had also raised the HRDF on basmati paddy from 0.5 per cent to 2 per cent in January. Both steps will affect the rice trade and also the basmati farmers. He further said the commission of the arhtiyas (kachi aadhat/dami), market fee and RDF are the highest in Haryana compared to other neighbouring states. The association also alleged that due to high rate of market fees and HRDF in Haryana, an unhealthy completion had been created between fees evaders and honest businessmen. It had become difficult for an honest industrialist to compete and run his business in Haryana, said Setia, adding that other states government are providing benefits to the rice industry, whereas in Haryana, the government is not supportive of the rice industry.

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