The government has removed the basic customs duty of 10 percent on whole Pigeon pea as part of steps to check the local prices of the lentil.
In a notification dated March 3, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) said import duty on Pigeon pea (whole) will be ‘Nil’. The reduced duty is effective from March 4.
However, import of Pigeon pea, other than whole tur, continues to attract basic customs duty of 10 per cent.
The exemption to whole Pigeon pea import duty comes amidst lower tur production estimates in the country.
Pigeon pea production is pegged lower at 3.89 million tonnes in the 2022-23 crop year (July-June) from 4.34 million tonnes in the previous year as per the initial projection made by the agriculture ministry. Pigeon pea is a kharif crop.
Fearing likely shortage, the government in January said it has made an advance plan to import about 1 million tonnes higher quality of Pigeon pea dal via private trade this year to meet the domestic requirement.
Source: financial express