Government permits Patanjali to ship 20 MT of non-basmati rice as donation to Nepal for victims

government has provided a one-time exemption from export ban to Patanjali Ayurved for shipping 20 tonnes of non-basmati white rice as a donation to Nepal for earthquake victims.

Though exports of non-basmati white rice were banned on July 20 to boost domestic supply, exports are allowed on basis of permission granted by government to certain countries to meet ir food security needs and on request.

"One time exemption from prohibition is granted to Patanjali Ayurved Ltd for export of 20 MT of Non-basmati white rice (Semi-milled or wholly milled rice, wher or not polished or glazed)as donation to Nepal for earthquake victims," directorate general of foreign tre (DGFT) has said in a notification.

According to a DGFT's notification issued in October, government permitted exports of 10,34,800 tonnes of non-basmati white rice to seven countries, including Nepal, Cameroon and Malaysia.

quantity notified for Nepal is 95,000 tonnes, Cameroon (1,90,000 tonnes), Cote D' Ivore (1,42,000 tonnes), Guinea (1,42,000 tonnes), Malaysia (1,70,000 tonnes), Philippines (2,95,000 tonnes), and Seychelles (800 tonnes).

Nepal is a major market for company.

Nepal was jolted by a 6.4 magnitude earthquake just before midnight on November 6 that killed 153 people and injured more than 250 individuals.

earthquake, which hit Jajarkot and Rukum West districts in western Nepal, also damaged around 8,000 properties, both public and private.

India has become first country to dispatch emergency relief materials to earthquake-hit districts in Nepal.