Government Imposes 10% Import Duty on Desi Chana

The government has imposed a 10% import duty on desi chana effective April 1, reversing the previous duty-free import policy intended to stabilize prices. New data projects higher domestic chana production, prompting the revised policy. The duty-free waiver initially extended to March 31, 2025, has now ended.

The government has announced a new 10% import duty on desi chana starting April 1, marking a shift from its earlier policy stance aimed at countering domestic price fluctuations.

In May of the previous year, the government had permitted duty-free imports of chana to bolster domestic supply and control market prices, with the waiver scheduled to continue until March 31, 2025.

According to a finance ministry notification dated March 27, the decision follows new estimates projecting an increase in chana production to 11.5 million tonnes in 2024-25, a rise from last year's 11 million tonnes.

(With inputs from agencies.)