KOCHI: The high court on Tuesday disposed petitions challenging a ban on importing fresh apples through ports other than Mumbai after the Centre informed that the ban has been relaxed.


During the hearing on Tuesday, the central government produced a copy of the new notification, according to which imports of apples can be made through seaports and airports in Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, and Kochi as well as land and airports in Delhi.


The Kerala high court had earlier stayed the notification that allowed importing of fresh apples only through Nhava Sheva Port, east of Mumbai. The notification was issued by the department of commerce of the ministry of commerce and industry on September 14 last year.


Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam-based importers had filed petitions alleging that such a ban is in violation of their constitutional right to equality. They had pointed out that the restriction would result in an additional transportation cost of Rs2.25 lakh per container of apples. If the ban is allowed to continue, price of apples would rise to a range of Rs300 -350 per kg.

Source :timesofindia.indiatimes.com