The Allahabad High Court , after hearing the case on poppy seeds import, has posted the case for October 9.
Trade sources alleged that till then, there would be “no imports as no new permits would be issued during this period.
“This means huge shortages for four months, after which there will be numerous holidays. The entire poppy seeds import trade will be derailed and that in turn will lead to big jump in prices”, they claimed.
They said that on Wednesday, markets jumped Rs 20 a kg and in the coming weeks, it is likely to touch Rs 500”.
As the festival demand has started, prices of poppy seeds have shown an upsurge and currently they are in the range of Rs 400-450.
Meanwhile, reports from Madhya Pradesh said the Neemuch farmers have urged the Government to ban import of Turkey poppy seeds.
Continuance of the stay, the trade claimed, might push up its prices in the domestic market in the coming days.
After considering the submissions advanced on behalf of the new respondents and other counsels representing other parties, “we are of the view that the interim order dated May 16, 2013 which has been extended from time to time needs partial modification”, the Bench said.
“This is being done in the interest of justicefor such importers whose consignments of white poppy seeds from country ‘X’ were loaded for import to India on completion of all legal formalities, on or before May 16, 2013 when this Court passed the interim order directing the respondents not to allow any import of white poppy seeds from Country ‘X’ till the next date of listing, notwithstanding any licence or registration of any import sale contract.
“Only the aforesaid consignments of importers who are before us personally or through association whose documents with respect to registration and import agreements have been brought on record of this case shall be allowed to be imported into India by the Customs Department after it has satisfied itself that the consignments conform to all the requirements governing import of white poppy seeds and the condition imposed above in this order.
“With the aforesaid partial modification, the interim order passed earlier on May 16 shall continue till the next date of listing,” the Bench said.