The government has provided a one-time exemption from an export ban to Patanjali Ayurved to ship 20 tonnes of non-basmati white rice as a donation to Nepal for earthquake victims, a trade notification said.

Though exports of non-basmati white rice were banned on July 20 to boost domestic supply, they are allowed if the government gives permission to help certain countries to meet their food security needs and on request.

“One time exemption from prohibition is granted to Patanjali Ayurved Ltd to export 20 mt of non-basmati white rice (semi-milled or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed)… as donation to Nepal for earthquake victims,” the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) has said in a notification.

According to a DGFT’s notification issued in October, the government permitted exports of 10,34,800 tonnes of non-basmati white rice to seven countries, including Nepal, Cameroon and Malaysia.

The quantity notified for Nepal is 95,000 tonnes, Cameroon (1,90,000 tonnes), Cote D’ Ivore (1,42,000 tonnes), Guinea (1,42,000 tonnes), Malaysia (1,70,000 tonnes), Philippines (2,95,000 tonnes), and Seychelles (800 tonnes).

Nepal is a major market for the company. Nepal was jolted by a 6.4 magnitude earthquake just before midnight on November 6 that killed 153 people and injured more than 250 individuals.