Expressing serious concern over unprecedented increase in import of vegetable oil, Congress leader Ahmed Patel has written a letter to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley stating that over ten lakh farmers depend on oil seed cultivation and this massive surge in import has amplified their distress in a drought year.
In his letter, Patel said it is a matter of deep concern, that India, which is one of the largest producers of oil seeds, is relying extensively on foreign suppliers to fulfil its demand of edible oil.
He said that while the Government at the centre has championed the Make in India campaign, its own import policies have made India a dumping ground for vegetable oils and this has jeopardised the lives of farmers.
He also said that it is surprising that the Government has maintained the import duty of 7.5 percent despite a progressive rise in imports.
The Congress leader urged the Government to increase duty on both crude and refined vegetable oils and also to announce a policy to incentivize domestic production.
