Govt removes ceiling for procurement of tur, urad, and masur under PSS

The Department of Consumer Affairs has also directed state governments to ensure the strict enforcement of stock limits on Tur and Urad and also monitor their prices. In a significant step towards enhancing domestic production of pulses, the government has removed the procurement ceilings of 40% for tur, urad and masur under Price Support Scheme (PSS) operations for 2023-24.

The decision ensures the procurement of these pulses from farmers at MSP without a ceiling.

The assured procurement of these pulses by the government at remunerative prices will help motivate farmers to enhance sowing area and production of tur, urad and masur in the upcoming Kharif and Rabi sowing seasons.

It may be recalled that the government imposed stock limits on tur and urad on June 2, 2023, by invoking the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, to prevent hoarding and unscrupulous speculation and also to improve affordability for consumers.

The stock limits have been made applicable to wholesalers, retailers, big-chain retailers, millers, and importers.

It has also been made mandatory for these entities to declare their stock positions on the portal (https://fcainfoweb.nic.in/psp) of the Department of Consumer Affairs.

In a follow-up action to the stock limits imposed on tur and urad, the Department of Consumer Affairs has directed the state governments to ensure strict enforcement in their respective states.

As part of enforcement, the states have also been asked to monitor prices and stock positions by cross-checking with various warehouse operators.

Parallelly, the Department has also asked the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) and State Warehousing Corporations (SWCs) to provide the details pertaining to tur and urad held in their warehouses.