KCR waives off CST of 2015-17 on Telangana's rice exports to other states

HYDERABAD: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday announced waiver of the two percent Central Sales Tax (CST) imposed over the export of rice to other states between 01.04.2015 and 30.06.2017. Stating that Telangana stood top in paddy production and export of paddy to other states, the chief minister promised that the State Government would protect the interests of Telangana rice millers and farmers by encouraging export of rice to other states.

Earlier, in the undivided Andhra Pradesh, there was a policy of providing a two percent concession in CST if a C-Form was filed. The same is also being implemented in Telangana as well post bifurcation. However, it was suspended due to the non-submission of Form C for rice exports from the state between 01.04.2015 and 30.06.2017. The representatives of the rice millers association have been appealing to the State Government for the revival of the CST rebate. They have been claiming that they were suffering losses in the absence of the two-percent tax concession to Telangana rice millers due to nonsubmission of the Form C. They asked the government to look into other methods to verify their rice supplies instead of Form C.

Meanwhile, as part of KCR's visit to Damaracharla on Monday, Minister Jagdish Reddy along with Miryalaguda MLA Bhaskar Rao and representatives of Telangana Rice Millers Association besides Rythu Bandhu Samiti President Palla Rajeshwar Reddy met KCR and sought his intervention in this regard. Considering their request and with a view to safeguarding the interests of the rice millers, the Chief Minister announced the waiver of the CST for the corresponding period on rice exports to other states.

The Chief Minister asked Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar to look into the request of the Telangana rice millers and take immediate action in this regard. KCR asked the president of Rythu Bandhu Samiti to hold discussions in a way that would benefit both rice millers and Telangana farmers. After a thorough examination, the government immediately issued the relevant orders.

MLA Nalamotu Bhaskar Rao and Rythu Bandhu Samiti Chairman Palla Rajeshwar Reddy, on behalf of Telangana Rice Millers and farmers, thanked the Chief Minister for positively considering their request and issuing the GO immediately.