Centre asked to drop decision to reduce import duty

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 7 (UNI) Kerala Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran today urged the Centre to shelve its decision to reduce import duty on edible oils as it had led to fall in the prices of coconut oil affecting the livelihood of lakhs of coconut growers in the state.

Replying to a Calling Attention motion by Murali Perunelli (CPI-M), he said the import duty on palm oil had been brought down to 61.8 per cent from 67.6 per cent besides reducing customs duty on the import.

This had resulted in the fall of coconut oil prices from Rs 47.50 to Rs 42 per kg, he said and sought the cooperation of all political parties to exert pressure on the Centre to reconsider its decision to reduce import duty on edible oils.

Replying to another calling attention, Minister for Local Administration Paloli Mohammed Kutty said steps would be taken to remove difficulties faced by the people following the implementation of the Kerala Registration of Marriage (Common) Rules, 2006.

He said the Rules were framed on the basis of a Supreme Court order making mandatory registration of marriages with the local bodies.

Replying to a submission by Saju Paul (CPI-M), Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said an electronics media division would be set up in the Public Relations Department to update the websites of various departments.

UNI