The common man is about to face yet another financial blow as rice prices are expected to surge in the coming days. This comes as an additional burden amid already skyrocketing prices of essential commodities like cooking oil and pulses.Currently, popular rice varieties such as Sonamasuri, HMT, and BPT are priced between Rs. 60 and Rs. 70 per kilogram. However, with the recent lifting of the export ban on non-basmati rice, prices are anticipated to rise sharply, causing further strain on household budgets.The reduction in export duty on para-boiled and brown rice from 20 percent to 10 percent is also expected to have a significant impact on domestic prices. As exports become more profitable, domestic consumers could bear the brunt of higher prices.The rise in rice prices will affect millions of households, especially the middle and lower-income segments, who are already struggling with the increasing cost of essential goods. With food inflation on the rise, the government is under growing pressure to address the concerns of the public and introduce measures to ease the burden.This development marks yet another challenge for the average consumer, highlighting the growing cost-of-living crisis in the country.