Centre challenges HC order on palm oil import
Kochi, Nov 13(UNI) Citing that the livelihood of nine million coconut farmers will be affected if palm oil import is allowed through Kochi port, the Centre today filed an appeal before the Kerala High Court to vacate the stay on the notification issued by the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in this regard.
Additional Solicitor General P Parameswaran Nair filed the affidavit of the Union Government before the High Court, which recently stayed the notification of the DGFT banning import of palm oil through the port.
The court order came on a petition filed by the Parisons Foods Pvt Ltd.
Mr Nair in the affidavit said the notification was issued in exercise of the power conferred by Section 3 (read with section 5) of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992.
The statement said more than nine million farmers were depending on coconuts for their livelihood in the state and its agricultural economy revolved around the market price of coconut.
UNI