Hyderabad HC directs Centre to stop maize imports

HYDERABAD: The High Court has directed the central government and the director-general of foreign trade and the ministries of commerce and industries not to accord permission for import of maize corn (pop corn) for commercial purpose.

The court has made it clear to the authorities not to take a decision on import of maize corn by others except those having permission to import it for their personal requirement. The court said that these orders would be in force for a period of one week.

Justice A Rajasheker Reddy passed this interim order on a petition filed by Sriven Marketing challenging the order of the director-general of foreign trade and the ministries of commerce and industries giving tax exemption to the maize corn imported from foreign countries.

The petitioner’s counsel said that the action of the authorities in giving tax exemption for import would result in loss to the local farmers who produce maize corn. In fact, tax exemption cannot be granted without amending  guidelines issued earlier by the Centre, he pointed out. The judge directed the Centre to not give permission for import of maize corn for commercial purposes, and adjourned the case.