AP Assembly 28 Feb 2012: JP Blasts Govt For Taxing Rice

AP Assembly Session 28 February 2012: During the Question Hour on Tuesday, Loksatta chief Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan blasted the government for levying tax on Rice. He told the speaker that the government is collecting Rs. 2100 tax on rice, when no other state in the country is levying such tax. "When there isn't any ban on exporting the rice to foreign countries, why the state government has imposed ban on inter-state rice exports in AP," he questioned.

The Loksatta chief said that the state government neither has the power to stop inter-state rice exports nor it can bring one such act through legislation, as movement of foodgrains comes under Central Government's purview. The Center has given a clear ruling that foodgrains can be freely exported from one state to another in the country. "Then how can this government stop the farmers from exporting rice to neighbouring states," he asked. Sensing importance of the matter, the Speaker permitted the issue to be discussed elaborately on coming Friday.