Govt issues advisory for mandatory stock disclosure of masur to keep prices in check during festive season

In order to keep a check on hoarding and profiteering during the upcoming festive season, the Department of Consumer Affairs of the Government of India, has issued an advisory on Wednesday, September 6, requiring mandatory stock disclosure of masur/masoor (lentil) with immediate effect. The directive stated that all stakeholders should mandatorily disclose their masur stock on stock disclosure portal which is managed by the department (https://fcainfoweb.nic.in/psp) by every Friday. 

The Department has warned that any undisclosed stock if found, will be considered as hoarding and suitable action under The Essential Commodities Act would be initiated.

Rohit Kumar Singh, Secretary of  Department of Consumer Affairs, during the weekly price review meeting instructed the department to broad-base the buffer procurement of the lentil. The objective of this directive is to procure available stocks at prices around the MSP. 

The move comes at a time when NAFED and NCCF have had to suspend their tenders to purchase imported lentils due to exorbitantly high bids received from few suppliers amid hints of cartelization.

The Secretary of Consumer Affairs has stated that at a time when lentil import flow increases from Canada and tur (daal) lentil imports from African countries, few players have been found to manipulate the market against the interest of the consumers and the nation. He further informed that the government is watching the developments very closely and would initiate stringent measures to get the stock released into the market so that it is ensured that all the pulses are available at reasonable prices during the festival season.

He further added that judiciously balancing the interest of the farmers vis-à-vis the consumers is paramount and that the Department will not hesitate to initiate stern action against those trying to hurt the interest of Indian consumers and farmers in an unscrupulous manner.