Basmati growers in the state have a reason to smile as the prices of the premium paddy, especially the long-grained varieties, have doubled as compared to the last year. With the paddy harvesting season already round the corner, long-grained Pusa 1509 is being sold at Rs 2,700-Rs 2,800 per quintal, whereas prices of Moochal, Sharbati and Pusa 1121 have reached Rs 3500 per quintal, registering an increase of Rs 1500 per quintal over the last year. Many rice exporters are of the opinion that the prices have gone up due to tax exemption on paddy and rice after the implementation of the GST.