11/04/2009 (Teatro Natural International) - Presently India is importing around 5-6 lakhs MT of Crude Palm Oil from Malaysia/Indonesia annually. Out of this total quantity, 70%-80% of oil is processed through fractionation process and separated into two kinds of oils.

1. One is palmolein (melting point is less than body temperature) which is largely used in mixing with mustard oil, soya oil etc for edible purpose.

2. Another part is palm stearin (melting point is higher than body temperature) which is non edible grade used in various non-edible purposes.

As per the prevailing scenario, palm stearin attracts excise duty applicable on it due to its non-edible nature as imposed by the central excise department. In order to evade the amount of duty, various well known industrial houses are using this material as a blend in Refined Palm Oil and even in manufacturing vegetable oil (dalda) out of it, which is also of very high melting point. On one hand non edible oil is used for edible purpose and on other hand its duty is also evaded on production of palm stearin.

This is one of the most common malpractices followed throughout the country from past many years. It’s a shame on the part of Industrial houses that are easily able to cheat government share of its tax as well as common man of its right. Common man is getting his pocket picked by paying for something which is dangerous for health. It’s been overlooked by all the government bodies till now. But the time has arrived when this malpractice needs to be stopped before it is too late. Government should take adequate measures and make a plan to eliminate such deficiency in the system.