(a) whether the Government is considering any proposal` for relaxation in the provisions of Essential Commodities Act, 1955 for the benefit of farmers and businessmen;
(b) if so, the details thereof, and
(c) by when the final decision is likely to be taken in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SBRI TASLIMUDDIN)
(a) to (c): No Sir. Does not arise.However, consequent upon improvement of the availability of various
agricultural products, the Government has already removed contmls under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955
such as licensing requirements, stock limits and movement restrictions on most of the foodstuffs viz. wheat, paddy/rice,
coarse grains, sugar, edible oilseeds and edible oils, pulses, 15m, whea.t products (namely maida, rava, suji, atta,
resultant atta and bran) and hydrogenated vegetable oil or vanaspati during the years 2002 and 2003. Now dealers
can freely buy, stock, sell, transport, distribute, dispose, acquire, use or consume any quantity in respect of
these commodities and shall not require a permit or license therefor under any order issued under the Essential
Commodities Act, 1955. Facilitating free trade and movement of foodgrains would enable farmers to get better
priecs for their produce, achieve price stability and ensure availability of foodgrains in deficit areas.