Imported roasted arecanut being 'misclassified', could disrupt market: CAMPCO
Mangaluru (Karnataka) Jan 25 (PTI): Mangaluru-based multi-state cooperative, Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative, expressed concern on Saturday over the challenges faced by domestic arecanut growers due to the import of roasted arecanut into India.
CAMPCO has sent a letter, dated January 25, to Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal seeking his intervention immediately.
"Imported roasted arecanut is being classified under HSN code 20081920 as a value-added product, allegedly bypassing customs duties through misclassification," CAMPCO wrote in the letter.
This practice, CAMPCO asserted, disrupts market equilibrium, denying domestic growers fair prices for their produce despite supply shortages.
According to CAMPCO, the imports are facilitated through Advance Ruling Licences, which attract only 12 per cent GST.
The imported arecanut is being mixed with locally produced arecanut and sold, compromising product quality, it alleged.
"Such practices may lead to rejection by bulk buyers, affecting the reputation and demand for arecanut in both domestic and northern markets," added CAMPCO.
Consequently, prices of locally grown arecanut are likely to plummet, significantly impacting growers’ incomes, pointed out the organisation.
To address these issues, CAMPCO has appealed to the government to set a Minimum Import Price (MIP) for all arecanut imports, introduce a unified HSN code for all forms of arecanut to prevent misclassification and strengthen regulatory measures, and frame policies to ensure fair prices for domestic growers.
Additionally, CAMPCO has urged growers to avoid purchasing imported arecanut or mixing it with local produce to safeguard the interests of the farming community. The organisation remains committed to protecting the welfare of arecanut farmers.
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Mangaluru: Bajpe police arrests young man for alleged derogatory posts against police
Bajpe: Police have arrested a youth for allegedly posting derogatory and defamatory content against the Bajpe police on social media.
The arrested accused has been identified as Abhishek M. (23), a resident of Katipalla, Surathkal.
According to the police, Abhishek posted a photograph of Bajpe Nisarga Hotel on his Instagram account mr_a_titude_22, alleging that accused persons in a murder case under the jurisdiction of the Bajpe police station were being treated “like royalty” by the police and were being served beef meals from the hotel every day. In his post, he further accused the police of colluding with criminals and misusing their authority, stating that public trust in the police was being betrayed.
Following which, the Bajpe police registered a case and arrested the accused.
Police records reveal that Abhishek is already facing multiple criminal cases. A case of murder, attempt to murder, assault and robbery has been registered against him at the Surathkal police station. At the same time, a robbery case has also been registered at the Kaup police station.
After his arrest, Abhishek was handed over to the custody of the CEN police for further investigation. He was later produced before a court, police said.
