The apex body's directive comes despite clear-cut indications from some of the state governments that they would use the leeway given to them to exempt units from the purview of the order.

"As of now we have asked the members to make all the necessary arrangements to meet the guidelines under the order and ensure that they are in a position to meet the deadline of December 15," COOIT executive director KML Chhabra said.

Even though there were reports that states like West Bengal would not implement the order, COOIT was not taking any chance, he said.

Chhabra said the packaging order was not without structural problems and the availability of packaging materials to meet the sudden spur in demand was bound to pose problem to manufacturers.

The government had on September 17 promulgated apackaging order banning sale of edible oils including mustard oil in loose form making mandatory their sale in packed form.

The order, which followed the mustard oil adulteration leading to the death of over 50 people, however had given preparation time up to December 15.

Despite, its directive to members to be prepared to implement the government order, COOIT has also decided to approach various state governments to know their minds on the order.

"Some states by-passing the order and other states strictly enforcing it is likely to create problems, raising questions about the viability of such an order," Chhabra said.

He said the interest of the consumers rather than any other consideration would dictate the nature of edible oil sector in the country.

COOIT executive director said the hesitation on the part of the Delhi government to remove all restrictions on sale of mustard oil neither augured well for the consumers nor traders.

"Confidence building measures like phased removal of restrictionson sale of the oil is understandable. But the time has come to restore normalcy in mustard oil sale," Chhabra said.

Meanwhile, the annual general meeting of the organisation will be held in Calcutta from November 7, where the edible oil industry is likely to formally announce the kharif oilseeds and oil estimate.

Chhabra said government was increasingly taking cognizance of the industry's estimate and efforts were on to bring down the differences in the estimates of trade and government.