The central government has raised the stock limits applicable to urad and tur varieties of pulses, in some relief to wholesalers. The development is in a bid to prevent the instances of hoarding and speculation, and to ensure ample supplies to the market to keep the consumer prices in check, and comes after a reduction in the existing limits that took effect on September 25. 

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The new limits came into effect on Monday, November 6, and will stay in force till December 31, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said. 

Wholesalers will be able to stock up to 200 MT of tur and urad each, instead of the current 50 MT, according to the official order dated November 6. 

Here are the latest limits applicable to different types of entities across states and Union Territories (UTs), as per the order: 

  • Wholesaler: 200 MT for each of the pulse
  • Retailer: 5 MT for each of the pulse
  • Big chain retailers: 
  • 5 MT for each of the pulse at each retail outlet 
  • 200 MT at depot for each of the pulse
  • Millers: Stock limits will be last 3 months production or 25 per cent of annual installed capacity, whichever higher
  • Importers: 60 days from the date of custom clearance

The entities will be required to declare the stock positions on the department’s portal, fcainfoweb.nic.in. 

“In case the stocks held by them are higher than the prescribed limits then they shall bring the same to the prescribed stock limits within 30 days of issue of this notification… It shall be ensured that pulses stock is regularly declared and updated on the portal of the Department of Consumer Affairs,” the consumer affairs ministry said. 

In September, the Centre extended the time period for the existing stock limits applicable to tur and urad pulses under the Essential Commodities Act by two months to December 31, and revised the stock holding limits for certain stockholding entities. 

It had imposed stock limits on both the pulses in January.