A government notification has been issued, increasing the special commodity levy imposed on several items including black grams, green grams and cowpeas.
As such, the special commodity levy on black grams (skinned, either split or not) has been increased to Rs. 300 per kilogram.
Meanwhile, the tax on green grams, cowpeas, Kurakkan (seeds), Kurakkan (other), millet (seeds) and millet (other) has been raised from Rs. 70 to Rs. 300.
In addition, a special commodity levy of Rs. 25 is in place on maize.
The communiqué, issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Finance Minister, says the order is valid from February 20, 2024 through December 31, 2024.
It also notes that importation of maize, black grams, green grams, and Kurakkan is allowed on the recommendation of the Agriculture Ministry.
