Import tax on potatoes increased by 10 rupees

Import tax on potatoes increased by 10 rupees

Competitive market for the local farmer

The Import tax on potatoes has been increased by Rs.10 per kilogram  with effect from today(03-05-2013), Finance Ministry said.
The aim of the measure is to ensure a competitive market for the local farmer.
Accordingly, special commodity levy charged per kilo of imported potatoes has been increased from Rs.15 to Rs.25.

“The Government provides seeds and fertilizer to the farmers in order to boost local agrarian products. Particularly, high import taxes are imposed on products such as Chili, Cowpea, Green gram, Peanut, Sugar, Kurakkan which are locally produced to ensure a high price for the production of local farmers. Consequently, the country is self - sufficient in some of these products, such as rice and Maize and currently, local farmers are able to supply their production to meet 50% of the consumption requirement of the country”