Centre moves SC in rice export ban case

New Delhi, Jun 30 (UNI) The Centre has moved the Supreme Court challenging the petition filed by several rice exporters in various High Courts against its ban imposed on the export of rice in the light of steep rise in inflation in the country.

The government also prayed to the apex court to transfer to itself the 44 petitions filed in various High Courts against the ban order.

The move came after four exports were granted stay against the government order by the Andhra Pradesh High Court permitting export of over 35,000 MT of rice.

The Centre rattled by the record breaking inflation in the prices of essential commodities had imposed the ban on February 7 fearing famine like situation if exports of rice were not banned.

It approached the Supreme Court on Friday for getting removed all legal hurdles in the way of implementation of its decision.

The government had earlier relaxed the ban to enable exporters to fulfill their existing contractual obligation. The ban was imposed in view of accute shortage of rice both in global and domestic market.

The stock of the rice had touched a 25-year low so far as global rice stocks were concerned.

The government had imposed a similar ban on October 15 last year but under pressure from rice exporters, it allowed export of stocks which had already arrived at the port godowns.

The petition is likely to come up for hearing before the vacation bench of the Supreme Court either today or tomorrow. The government will also seek stay of the proceedings pending in various High Courts.

UNI SC PD HS NS0947