The government has extended duty-free import of chana, also known as gram or chickpeas, till March-end in view of fall in sowing area under the crop.
The Finance Ministry has extended the zero duty regime for chana although the Agriculture Ministry was pushing for a 10-per cent duty in view of declining chana prices, which have fallen even below the minimum support price of Rs.3,100 a quintal in some parts of the country.
In a notification, the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) said it had extended the “zero customs duty on chickpeas (gram) up to March 31.”
The zero duty on imported chana was valid till Wednesday.
At present, pulses are imported at zero duty across the board for any category.
Similarly, export of pulses is prohibited except for chickpeas (Kabuli chana) and organic pulses.
