Ministry of Consumer Affairs imposes stock limits on Tur and Urad dal, applicable to wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers, millers, and importers

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, pursuant to the amendment of the Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs Order, 2016 (“Order”), has imposed stock limits on Tur and Urad dal, applicable to wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers, millers, and importers to prevent hoarding and speculation immediately till 31st October 2023. This is under the Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs (Amendment) Order, 2023.

The main objective of this order is to prevent hoarding and speculation to improve affordability and bring down the prices of essential commodities like tur and urad dal.

The stock limits have been prescribed by this Order, which is applicable to all states and union territories. The stock limits applicable to each of the pulses are as follows: –
a) Wholesaler: 200 Metric Unit (“MT”) for each of the pulse.
b) Retailer: 5 MT for each of the pulse.
c) Big chain retailers: 5 MT for each of the pulse at each retail outlet and 200 MT at depot for each of the pulse.
d) Millers: Stock limits will be last 3 months production or 25% of annual installed capacity, whichever is higher.
e) Importers: Importers not to hold imported stock beyond 30 days from the date of custom clearance.

The Order further clarifies that the importers cannot hold imported stock beyond 30 days from the date of Customs clearance. The wholesalers, retailers, importers, etc are to declare the stock position on the online portal (https://fcainfoweb.nic.in/psp) of Department of Consumer Affairs and in case the stocks held by them are higher than the prescribed limits, then they will have to bring the same to the prescribed stock limits within 30 days of issue of this Order.

Please click on the link for a detailed read of the notification.

Source: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution