The Hindu : New Delhi News : VS acting against interests of growers: Chandy

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Wednesday, Nov 21, 2007
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VS acting against interests of growers: Chandy

Special Correspondent

Says palm oil import being used for propaganda purposes

Thiruvananthapuram: Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy has held the government and the Chief Minister responsible for the import of 15,000 tonnes of palm oil.

In a statement issued here on Tuesday, he said the government was using palm oil import for propaganda purposes. He contended that the Chief Minister, in particular, was acting against the interests of the coconut growers.

Mr. Chandy said the Chief Minister, in a letter sent to the Prime Minister on April 19, wanted the move to reduce the import duty on palm oil to be reconsidered.

It was because of the pressure exerted by the Union Ministers from the State and the UDF that the Centre banned on October 16 the import of palm oil through the Kochi Port. The High Court stayed the ban on October 25. But the State government filed a petition to implead in the case only 20 days later. In between, 7000 tonnes of palm oil reached Kochi.

Delayed action

He pointed out that the Government took 20 days in handling an issue of vital importance. The Advocate General (AG) did not appear for the State. The Additional AG left the court immediately after arguments. The court had expressed its displeasure at it. The government could not present before the court the fact that the palm oil import would bring down the price of coconut oil. Due to that, the court declined to vacate the stay and posted the case to November 19.

The Chief Minister had hit out at Justice Siri Jagan who was hearing the case on November 17. Justice Siri Jagan recused himself of the case on November 19. Eight thousand more tonnes of palm oil reached Kochi the same day, Mr. Chandy said.

Even though the Government had issued orders on July 30 for the procurement of fresh coconuts, not even a single nut has been procured so far, he alleged.

By attacking the judiciary and vitiating the situation, instead of resorting to legal steps, the government had landed the coconut cultivators in a crisis. He wanted the Chief Minister to ask himself whether he did justice to the sons of the soil.

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