Fresh Fruits Flowers and Vegetables Traders Association v. Directorate General of Foreign Trade & Anr.

1. The petition is for directions to the respondents to permit the petitioner to import various types of cut flowers and buds through all airports equipped for this purpose, including the Delhi airport.

2. The petitioner’s grievance is that respondent no. 1, vide notification dated 09.07.2020, has restricted the point of entry for import of cut flowers only to the Chennai airport. They claim to have been importing cut flowers KUMAR KAURAV through the Delhi airport, for several years prior thereto. The said notification was challenged by the petitioner before a Division Bench this Court in Fresh Fruit Flowers and Vegetables Traders Association v. Directorate General of Foreign Trade and Anr.[1] The Court disposed of the said petition without setting aside the notification dated 09.07.2020, after noting that the petitioner’s grievance was being acknowledged and redressed by the respondents.

3. The stand taken by the respondent no. 1- authority is that the points of entry was restricted to the Chennai airport, in order to protect the biosecurity of the country, since there were manpower and infrastructural constraints for facilitating imports in other airports.

4. Mr. Rakesh Khanna, learned senior counsel for the petitioner, has drawn the attention of this Court to the decision in Fresh Fruit Flowers and Vegetables Traders Association, paragraph no.4 of the order dated 07.01.2025, and order dated 11.03.2026 in this petition, to emphasise that the respondents were to address the petitioner’s grievance. He submits that in furtherance of the same, certain laboratories have been set up for the facilitation of imports through the Delhi airport.

5. Mr Rakesh Kumar, learned SPC, also submits that the necessary arrangement have been made for redressing the petitioner’s grievance. The formal notification permitting imports through the Delhi airport has not been released owing to the pending approval of the National Horticultural Board. He, however, submits that after receipt of the necessary communication from the National Horticulture Board, the respondents shall do the needful. 2023:DHC:7221-DB

6. The contr

7. oversy stands resolved while setting up the laboratory and has already been noted that the notification dated 09.07.2020 has lost its significance, therefore, there is no impediment in allowing the petitioner to import flowers at Delhi Airport.

8. Let the respondents to take prompt steps in pursuance to the aforesaid observations.

9. Let the report, if any, from the National Horticulture Board be obtained within six weeks from today and after receiving the report, a formal order be passed by the respondent-authorityt within two weeks thereafter.

10. Petition stands disposed of.

11. If the petitioner’s grievance is not fully mitigated, he shall be at liberty to take appropriate steps in accordance with law.

PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV, J APRIL 16, 2026