West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee believes that this variety should also get the privilege of Basmati.
Mamata Banerjee has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take necessary steps so that the premium aromatic type of rice known as "Gobindbhog" can be exempted from customs duty on export.
According to the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Gobindbhog rice, also known as Govind Bhog, is much liked domestically and abroad, especially in Europe and the Gulf regions, to present to the Almighty (Govind).
In September, 20% customs duty was imposed by the Centre. Because of this, years of work in developing the export market of the premium Gobindbhog variety has been badly damaged by the detrimental effect on the demand and domestic price of paddy and, consequently, on farmers' incomes, Banerjee said.
Banerjee likens Gobindbhog rice to Basmati rice, which is similarly exempt from 20% customs duty, and says that Gobindbhog rice should enjoy the privilege "to avoid loss of trade".
In a letter, the Bengal chief minister said only a few districts in West Bengal grow pure Gobindbhog rice, which was given geographical identification in 2017. Compared to the MSP of rice, it fetches a much higher price. He said that since 2011, as part of our efforts to increase the revenue of the farmers of Bengal, the Mamata Banerjee government has encouraged the development of premium varieties in suitable locations in place of coarse grain rice.
According to Banerjee, other countries in the Gulf region like Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait are in need of Gobindbhog rice. He claimed in the letter that the state administration has encouraged export of this premium variety of Gobindbhog rice besides expanding production in suitable areas to sustain its demand abroad.
Gobindbhog rice is commonly used to make rice-based sweets in and around Bengal. Apart from this, it is also used to make flavored rice and pulao.
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