HC stay on GoI notification on palm oil import continues

Kochi, Nov 16 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today declined to lift the stay imposed on a Central Government notification, banning the import of palm oil through Cochin Port, observing that a detailed hearing is needed on the issue.

Adjourning the case to Monday after an over hour-long hearing, Mr Justice S Sirijagan orally observed that the Government had been unable to justify its stand that the price of coconut oil would come down if palm oil was imported into the country.

Appearing for the Central Government, Additional Solicitor General P Parameshwaran Nair pleaded for the court to lift the stay, imposed on October 26, on a notification by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), banning the import of palm oil into the country through Cochin Port.

The court had imposed the stay while hearing two separate petitions, challenging the DGFT notification. The Centre had filed an application last week, seeking to lift the stay.

Meanwhile, the court today allowed the impleadment applications on behalf of the Kerala Government, the Kerala Karshaka Congress and Coconut Farmers Corporation in the case.

UNI