The government today decided to allow exports of three varieties of non-basmati rice grown in four southern states. An Empowered Group of Ministers (EGOM) met in New Delhi toady.It decided to allow exports up to 1.50 lakh tonnes of select varieties. The three varieties exempted from export ban are PonniSamba, Rosematta and Sona Masuri which are grown in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. However, exemptions would be given only if exports are valued at above 850 dollars per tonne.The EGoM on Food, headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, includes Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Rural Development Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Food Minister K V Thomas.