The Centre imposed a 20 per cent export duty on parboiled rice with immediate effect to curb a surge in shipments since July 20 when it banned exports of (non-basmati) white rice.

• According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Finance late on Friday night, the duty will be in force till October 15.
• The Government will also soon notify a minimum export price (MEP) for basmati to ensure that other varieties of rice are not exported in the garb of the fragrant rice. 
•  Though the Finance Ministry said the export duty comes into  immediate effect, exporters who have contracted before the notification was issued are allowed to ship their consignments at zero duty until October 15, traders said.
• The October 15 date is seen as the time by which the Union Government will have a fair idea of the kharif rice production.