Wheat stock limits revised for wholesalers, retailers, big chain operators, processors

The central government on Friday revised certain stock limits applicable to wheat for traders, wholesales, retailers, big chair operators, and processors.

While the stock limit applicable to traders and wholesalers was reduced by one-third, or 1,000 MT, to 3,000 MT, for retailers, it was was left unchanged at 10 MT per outlet, according to an official statement. 

The limit applicable to processors was lowered by 10 percentage pointsto 60 per cent of the monthly installed capacity (MIC) multiplied by the remaining months of FY25. 

For big chain retailers, a limit equivalent to 10 MT for each outlet and 10 times MTs the total number of outlets at all their depots was imposed, from the existing 10 MT for each outlet and 3,000 MT at all their depots.

The government tracks wheat prices closely and makes interventions from time to time to ensure price stability for the consumers in the country.

"A total production of 1129 LMT of wheat was recorded during Rabi 2024 and there is ample availability of wheat in the country," said the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. 

Here's a summary of the revised stock limits for the crop:

Earlier, it imposed stock limits on wheat applicable to the four categories of entities with an aim to manage the overall food security, and to prevent instances of hoarding and unscrupulous speculation in the domestic market.

The ministry also said that all wheat stocking entities are required to register on the wheat stock limit portal (evegoils.nic.in/wsp/login) and update the stock position every Friday.

Any entity failing to register on the portal or dishonouring the stock limits will be subject to suitable punitive action under Sections 6 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, it noted. 

"In case the stocks held by above entities are higher than the above prescribed limit, they shall have to bring the same to the prescribed stock limits within 15 days of issue of the notification. Officials of Central and State Governments will be closely monitoring enforcement of these stock limits to ensure that no artificial scarcity of wheat is created in the country," it added.