26 November 2014 04:00 pm
Accordingly, the price of Samba rice would be reduced to Rs. 60 per kg, Nadu for Rs. 55 per kg and Kekulu Rs. 50 kg.
The average price of all varieties of imported rice was ranging from Rs.90 to Rs.100 per kg earlier, according to the ministry.
A ministry spokesman told Daily Mirror that the government had decided to bear whatever the losses incurred by this move on behalf of the people. Asked whether the import duty was reduced paving the way for a price cut, sources said no such decision was made.
The ministry reiterated that the government would be compelled to take over privately owned rice mills in order to stop artificial shortages. (Yohan Perera)