MUMBAI - India slashed the base import prices of palm oil and soybean oil for a fortnight, the government said in a statement late on Wednesday, as prices of the cooking oils fell sharply in the global market.

The move was in contrast to the country's decision on Tuesday to keep the base import price of all edible oils unchanged.

India has put on hold a proposal to reduce import taxes on edible oils as cooking oil prices started to fall in the world market after hitting record highs, two government and one industry officials told Reuters. 

The government revises base import prices of edible oils, gold, and silver every fortnight and the price is used to calculate the amount of tax an importer needs to pay.

Commodity New price in $ Old price in $

Crude palm oil 1,136 1,222

RBD palm oil 1,148 1,245

RBD palmolein 1,153 1,265

Crude soya oil 1,415 1,452

Base prices for all commodities are in $ per tonne.

(Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav; Editing by Aditya Soni) ((rajendra.jadhav@thomsonreuters.com; +91-22-68414378 ; Reuters Messaging: rajendra.jadhav.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))