Non-basmati rice exports may be allowed through non-EDI ports too

The Commerce Ministry is pushing for allowing exports of non-basmati rice through ports that are not connected via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). In September last year, the Government had allowed exports of all varieties of non-basmati rice out of privately held stocks only through Custom EDI ports. However, citing demand from non-EDI ports in the eastern border and in Gujarat, the Ministry is keen that non-basmati rice exports are allowed through them also, official sources said. The condition for allowing exports only through EDI ports is in place to facilitate easier and quicker capturing of data by the Customs Department, but it is adding to transportation costs of certain exporters.

Source: The Hindu Business Line