Centre calls for Potato import to tackle price hike

New Delhi, Oct 31: Central Government has allowed the import of 10 lakh tonnes of potatoes on Oct 29 to control the rising prices. The decision was informed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Union Minister of Consumer Affairs Piyush Goyal has further informed that the Centre is taking several steps to moderate the rising potato prices.

 

According to the latest updates, India will now be importing fresh and chilled potatoes from Bhutan without license. The norm of importing potatoes with license will be valid only up to January 31, 2021. Earlier, the imports of potatoes were restricted. Import duty on potato has also been reduced by the centre to 10% from 30%.

 

The procedure for import of potatoes has also been eased till January 31, 2021 by the DGFT. This has been done by cancelling the need to send hard copies of application through mail or post. When the applicants are accepted, they will require to ensure that the import consignments reach the Indian ports on or before January 31, 2021.

 

There will be no request for an extension of time. Apart from that, centre has also decided to import 25,000 tonnes of onions before Diwali in addition to the 7,000 tonnes of onions that NAFED has already procured through private importers.