In its application before a division bench comprising justices Devinder Gupta and Madan B Lokur, the state government said it wanted modification in the court order to facilitate sale of loose mustard oil.

The High Court had put a blanket ban on sale of every brand of mustard oil in loose form in July last year after the outbreak of dropsy caused due to the presence of "argemone", a toxic substance in alarmingly high percentage.

The government in its plea, claimed there was no possibility of the disease resurfacing as authorities had taken adequate measures to prevent it.

As the court sought opinion of the petitioner, advocate BL Wadhera, who had filed the public interest litigation last year said, "let them (the government) sell the oil in any form but they shouldgive a guarantee that last year's incidents will not be repeated."

The court adjourned the hearing to September 7, with the direction to the government to supply copies of its application to all the parties including the petitioner so that he could file a written reply on objections, if any.