The central government has decided extended the customs duty exemption on imports of tur and urad dal until March 31, 2025, in order to keep food inflation in check. The Director General of Foreign Trade issued an order on Thursday to extend this exemption for another year. This decision follows the recent choice to extend the exemption on import duty for masur dal until March 2025. The exemption, which started in October 2021, was initially supposed to end on March 31, 2024, but it will now last until March 31, 2025.
The decision to extend duty-free imports comes as India grapples with high food prices, which rose to 8.7% in November from 6.61% in October. Pulse prices jumped by 20% in November, as per Ministry of Statistics data. The government also prolonged the time frame for stock limits on tur and urad under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, from October 30 to December 31. Additionally, certain stock holding entities saw revised stock holding limits. These measures aim to prevent hoarding and ensure enough tur and urad reach the markets, preventing further price increases.
