Market sources said that price fell after Public Works Department Minister Savji Korat had on behalf of the government promised to have the restrictions on export of the commodity removed when market yards went on strike.

Merchants and oil millers are hoping the removal of the restriction will come within a few days.

The state government has appointed a committee to address the matter, headed by Industries Minister Suresh Mehta. The committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday in Gandhinagar, and there is hope that the restrictions will go by Tuesday evening.

There is talk that the committee met on Saturday evening at Gandhinagar, but the outcome of the meeting is not known. Some describe this meeting as a prelude to the Tuesday meeting. Any decision it might have taken will be announced only on Tuesday. Till then, prices are unlikely to fluctuate.

Even Shamjibhai Khunt, chairman of the Rajkot Marketing Yard, who has organised strikes, is composed about the committee meeting. ``Let us wait for two more days. If nothing happens we will decide on the further course of action,'' he said.

Ukabhai Patel, president of the Saurashtra Oil Millers Association, also had the same thing to say. But he ruled out the possibility of a further price hike, even if the restrictions were removed. Patel said the price at the Mumbai market was also at the lowest and there was no demand either in Gujarat or upcountry.

However, he said, if the restrictions are not removed it will adversely affect growers, traders, and mill owners.

Today, a huge stock of groundnut lies unsold in the market yards for want of demand. About 2 lakh bags arrive daily, but only 1 lakh of them are sold.

The Rajkot market yard has had to announce that farmers should not bring groundnut for sale till the next notice. Patel said if the restrictions are not removed, it will see other markets making the same announcement too.

The traders expect the restrictions will be removed in this week.