A South Korean parliamentary committee on Friday agreed to revise up price ceilings stipulated in the controversial anti-graft law amid rising concerns that the limits on exchanges of gifts may weigh down the consumption of agricultural goods.

The Kim Young-ran anti-graft law aims to bring more transparency among public officials, journalists and private school faculty by setting price ceilings on meals and gifts they can receive.

The Constitutional Court also gave a nod to the policy last month, paving the way for the official implementation on Sept. 28.

Under the unanimous decision made by the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee, however, lawmakers agreed to revise up the limit on meals and gifts to 50,000 won ($44.95) and 100,000 won from the current 30,000 won and 50,000 won.

The committee said the decision was made to protect the livelihoods of those working in the agricultural and fishery industries.

The existing limits were based on the public officials' ethic rules announced in 2003, and do not take inflation into account, the committee also pointed out. (Yonhap)