HC stays DGFT order restricting import of apples to Maha port

Madras High Court has stayed a Director-General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) order mandating that all apples should be imported only through Nheva Sheva Port in Maharashtra.
Justice M M Sundresh, citing the January 8 order of Kerala High Court, granted interim stay on the September 14, 2015 notification of DGFT.
The order was passed on a petition by eight importers challenging the notification.
The petitioners, including Mudra Exports, submitted that such restrictions curtailed their free trade rights, and put them at disadvantage in respect of pricing.
While apple import was continuing in an unhindered manner, the sudden notification came as shock to them, they said.

The notification also attempted to favour a few chosen entities and their monopoly, they charged, adding that it would imperil the business and trade interests of importers in locations far away from Maharashtra.