Mamata, Modi and the case of Gobindobhog

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is learnt to have written to PM Narendra Modi urging him to do away with the 20 per cent customs duty imposed on premium aromatic rice variety named 'gobindobhog' - similar to exemptions that apply on basmati rice.
Banerjee is concerned that exports of govindobhog rice have been left affected by the duty imposed on it by the Union government.
She has further highlighted that any adverse impact on exports of the gobindobhog variety of rice can have a cascading effect on domestic price of the paddy and income of local farmers, according to news agency PTI.
Gobindobhog is a short-grained, aromatic variety of rice. It is grown in several districts of West Bengal. The Purba Bardhaman district is specifically known for cultivating this variety of rise, especially in the southern basin of Damodar river.
It is usually cultivated later than usual paddy and it is not affected by excess rain. It is believed to be less prone to pests as well. And productivity is believed to be high, which means it often ensures stable income to farmers.
It was awarded Geographical Identification (GI) in 2017, following which its demand in the international market went up even further. It is often used for making khichuri (khichdi).