Govt raises wheat import tax to 25% from 10%

India has raised the import tax on wheat to 25 percent from 15 percent, the government said in a statement on Monday, to curb cheaper imports from Australia and France.

The duty will remain applicable until March 31, 2016, the government said.

Official sources last week said the government was considering raising the tax to 25 percent to stem imports in a surplus year.

Separately, the government also axed the factory gate tax on RBD palm stearin, methanol and sodium methoxide, used as raw materials to produce biodiesel. The tax-free imports will continue until March 31, 2016.