And now comes the anti climax – restricting the imports through STC and MMTC deleted:-
But only for Krishi Yojana and not Target plus scheme. The cut and paste technology is playing havoc with DGFT too. Two days after Notifications 15 and 16 were issued, DGFT has come up with another notification that restriction of importing edible oils only through STC and MMTC is deleted from notification No. 15, i.e. Krishi Yojana but it has not been withdrawn for Target Plus. This means exporters of agri products can import edible oils directly but big star export houses can import it only through STC or MMTC. Hopefully DGFT will come up with another amending notification to set this right. Consequential amendment was made in the Handbook of procedures by PN No. 41 dated 4.1.2004 which was amended by PN No. 42 dated 6.1.2004. Strangely all these notifications and PNs were made available to the Public only on 6.1.2004. And the HOP still carries the restriction that import shall be only through STC or MMTC. Notification manufacturing in the DGFT seems to be as bad as that in the CBEC. That Government is the best which governs the least and that Government agency is the best which issues the least notifications. See DGFT Notification No. 17/2004 dated January 6, 2005.