Check malpractices in import of pepper

The Consortium of Pepper Growers' Organisation has urged Union Minister of Commerce Suresh Prabhu to regulate and restrict the import of black pepper into India.

They have also requested him to ensure stop of malpractices in the import of pepper.

The delegation urged the minister to initiate strict action against those business men who are engaged in malpractices of re-export of pepper from different origin. In spite of imposing minimum import duty of Rs 500 a kg of pepper, the merchants are finding a new way to evade the tax, said the delegation.

The members said that pepper is not cultivated in Germany, Spain and Italy. In spite of it, pepper is being imported from these countries, which needs to be probed, they insisted.