To address concerns related to hoarding, unscrupulous speculation, and the affordability of essential pulses such as tur dal and urad dal, the Government of India has recently issued an order imposing stock limits on these commodities.
The move aims to regulate the market and improve access for consumers. The Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs (Amendment) Order, 2023 was issued with immediate effect from June 2, 2023. The order mandates stock limits for tur dal and urad dal until October 31, 2023, applicable to wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers, millers, and importers across all states and union territories.
The prescribed stock limits are as follows: 200 metric tons (MT) for wholesalers, 5 MT for retailers, 5 MT at each retail outlet and 200 MT at depots for big chain retailers, and the last 3 months of production or 25% of annual installed capacity (whichever is higher) for millers. Importers are not allowed to hold imported stock beyond 30 days from the date of customs clearance.
To ensure compliance, the respective legal entities are required to declare their stock positions on the Department of Consumer Affairs' portal (https://fcainfoweb.nic.in/psp). If the stocks held exceed the prescribed limits, the entities must bring them within the specified limits i.e. within 30 days of the notification.
The Department of Consumer Affairs has been closely monitoring the stock position of these pulses through a stock disclosure portal, conducting weekly reviews with state governments. In addition, extensive interactions with various stakeholders, including importers, millers, and retailers, have taken place to ensure transparent stock disclosure. Senior officers have also visited states like Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu to assess the ground situation.
The implementation of these stock limits demonstrates the government's commitment to maintaining stable prices and ensuring the availability of tur dal and urad dal at affordable rates for consumers. By curbing hoarding and promoting transparency in the market, the government aims to create a fair and balanced environment that benefits both consumers and traders alike.
