Government allows Wheat Imports at concessional rate of 5 percent
	20:36 IST

The prices of essential commodities especially sugar, pulses and wheat have been increasing in the domestic market. The increase in the prices of these products also has an influence on the inflation. It has been decided to allow import of wheat at a concessional rate of 5% (as against 50% scheduled rate) with effect from today i.e. 28th June 2006. These imports will be allowed under OGL and quality standards will be the same as notified for public sector imports. The concessional rate is valid till 31.12.2006. This change comes in the wake of reduction of import duties on pulses and sugar earlier. Earlier Government had allowed import of pulses at zero import duty till 31st March 2007. Subsequently, imports of sugar at NIL basic customs duty have been allowed till the 30th September 2006. BSC/NSD/BY/SK