Nashik: Amid growing opposition to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) decision to impose restrictions on the sale of loose edible oil in Maharashtra, the All India Edible Oil Traders Federation has stepped into the issue. Strongly opposing the administration’s decision, edible oil traders have demanded its immediate withdrawal and warned of both legal action and a statewide agitation. The traders’ federation has given the government a 15-day ultimatum to reconsider the decision.
A crucial meeting of the Edible Oil Traders Federation was held in Nashik on Sunday to discuss the FDA’s decision. Around 500 edible oil traders from 36 districts attended the meeting. The participants discussed the difficulties likely to be faced due to the administration’s decision, provisions for action against traders and the future course of the agitation.
Fear of Economic Impact
Traders claimed that the FDA’s decision could have an adverse economic impact on traders traditionally engaged in the sale of loose edible oil, retailers and consumers from lower-income groups. They said they had no objection to action against traders who violate food safety regulations, but argued that it would not be appropriate to treat all traders according to the same yardstick.
Will Approach Court If..
The meeting resolved that if the government does not withdraw the decision within 15 days, the federation will file a petition in court challenging it. It was also decided to take up the issue with the Central Government. The traders warned that if a favourable decision is not taken by the government, they would unite traders across the state and intensify the agitation.
The meeting was attended by All India Edible Oil Traders Federation National President ShankarbhaI Thakkar, Vice-President Prakashbhai Patel, National General Secretary Tarunbhai Jain, Transport Association Vice-President Subhash Thakkar, Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce Vice-President Sunita Phalgune, Maharashtra President Santosh Mandlecha, Western Maharashtra Vice-President Hitesh Kapadia (Kolhapur), Vidarbha Vice-President Piyush Jain, Sambhajinagar District President Kachrubhau Velunjkar, Vinod Parmar, along with office-bearers and traders from various districts.
