The government has imposed a stock limit on pulses under the essential commodities act (ECA) & which will be effective until 31st October. Food & consumer Affairs Ministry issued this to control price rise. It is estimated that Retail prices of pulses increased by more than 20 percent this year.
As per the order
- Wholesalers can only stock up to 200 Metric tonnes of all pulses & one variety of pulse cannot be more than 100 MT
- Retailer can stock 5 MT
- Millers can stock for the last three months of production or 25 percent of annual installed capacity, whichever is higher.
- For Importers, the stock limit is the same as the wholesalers for stocks held/imported before 15th May 2021, & for all the pulses imported after 15th May, the stock limit will be applicable only after 45 days from the date of customs clearance.
The order also states that if the stocks exceed the prescribed limit, they should be declared online with the Department of Consumer Affairs. The government has given 30 days time period to reduce the exceeding stock.
The order was passed to check the price rise due to stockpiling. Pulses price has been rising this year, Tur dal has reached Rs 110-120 & masoor dal to Rs 90 per kg. It is expected that the price rise will decline.
