No new duty on vegoil imports, says govt

India has dismissed a petition by a trade organisation to impose a 'safeguard duty' on edible oil imports, a government notification said.

"I refrain from making any recommendations for the imposition of safeguard duty on imports of vegetable oils (edible grade)," B K Mishra, director general (safeguards) in the finance ministry, said in an order issued over the weekend.

The Mumbai-based Solvent Extractors' Association of India had filed the application last year, requesting for unspecified 'safeguard duties' to protect domestic oilseed industry from excessive imports of edible oils.