Centre reimposes stock limits on pulses after states seize 5,800 tonnes of hoarded stock

The central government today said action against hoarders and blackmarketeers has been stepped up and state governments have seized over 5,800 tonnes of pulses hoarded by traders in five states over the last few months.

The government also made amendments to the Central Order under Essential Commodities Act to enable states to impose stock limits on pulses sourced from imports, held by exporters, large food processing units as well as large departmental retailers.

The government reviewed the imposition of stock limits and the enforcement measures taken by states to check hoarding of pulses at a meeting in New Delhi today.

The states were exhorted to carryout surprise inspections and raids to prevent hoarding of pulses

This move comes after prices of tur dal have shot up to over Rs200 per kg.

These measures including inspections carried out on dealers/stockists of pulses and raids against those who are violating stock limits and indulging in hoarding, have begun to show results, said an official release.

In Maharashtra raids have been conducted in Mumbai, Aurangabad, Pune, Amravati, Nasik, and Nagpur. Similarly, in Karnataka inspections were carried out in Mysore district resulting in recovery of 3,600 quintals of pulses. Raids have also been carried out in Bengaluru. In Madhya Pradesh raids were conducted in 25 locations resulting in seizure of 2,295 tonnes of pulses.

In Telengana, 1,820 raids have been conducted which resulted in seizure of 2,546 tonnes of pulses. Andhra Pradesh government has seized 600 tonnes of pulses in 56 raids conducted. Rajasthan government has also intensified enforcement of stock limits. Similar enforcement action against hoarding and black-marketing is also being taken in other states, the release stated.

Simultaneously, the central government has increased the retail distribution of tur dal at the rate of Rs120 per kg through nearly 500 outlets of Kendriya Bhandar and Safal in and around Delhi and other locations.

All of these measures are expected to improve supply position and arrival of pulses in the market thereby moderating the prices of pulses, the release added.