THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala has requested the Centre not to lift the ban on palm oil import through the state’s ports. In a letter to PM Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan made the request as it would adversely affect coconut farmers in the state.
If the Centre permits import of palm oil or palmolein oil through the state’s ports, it would affect the small-scale coconut farmers. The import of palm oil through Kerala ports was banned from 2007 December considering it would lead to a major dip in the prices of coconut and coconut oil.
The Supreme Court had rejected an appeal against the ban in 2015. However, there are reports the Union Government is planning to lift the ban following pressure from traders using edible oil. This prompted the CM to write the letter.
He requested the PM to intervene urgently to prevent the move that would lead to further trouble for coconut farmers already facing a crisis due to a dip in prices.