Check edible oil prices: TN Govt tells manufacturers

Chennai, Apr 15 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government today directed manufacturers to bring down the retail prices of edible oils and warned of imposing market control measures in the interests of the public if they failed to check the rising prices.

Speaking at a review meeting to discuss the issue of rising prices of edible oils with traders and manufacturers at the State Secretariat here, Tamil Nadu Food Minister E V Velu said the poor were greatly affected by the rising prices of edible oils.

Since there was vast difference in the wholesale and retail prices of edible oils, the retail prices had to be brought down, he said.

Mr Velu also recalled a letter written to the Prime Minister by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on April one this year, leading to abolishing of import duty on crude oil.

Though the Centre had reduced the import duty on refined oils to 7.50 per cent, it did not lead to the expected reduction in prices of edible oils, he said and appealed to the oil manufacturers to bring down the prices.

The Minister announced that palm oil, being supplied to ration cardholders at the rate of Rs 40 per litre, would continue to be given through the PDS to control the rising prices.

The oil manufacturers and the traders accepted the Minister's appeal and assured him to take immediate steps in this regard, an official release here said.

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