(a) whether the Government has recently relaxed limits it had imposed on the quantities of pulses that could be stored by traders at their end, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether wholesalers who could not stock more than 200 tonne now can hold upto 500 tonnes of pulses, if so, the details thereof;
(c) the purpose to relaxing holding limits of pulses by wholesalers; and
(d) the impact of these relaxation in the Indian economy and inflation?
THE MINISTER OF STATE
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a) to (d) : Central Government vide S.O no 2674(E) dated 2nd July, 2021 had imposed stock limit on all the pulses (except Moong) for all States and Union Territories, for a period up to 31st October 2021. The provisions were as follows:
• Wholesaler: 200 MT (subject to condition that there should not be more than 100 MT of one variety)
• Retailer: 5 MT
• Millers: Stock limits will be last 3 months production or 25% of annual installed capacity, whichever is higher
• Importers:
o Stock limit applicable to wholesaler will also apply to importers for stocks held in stock / imported prior to 15th May 2021.
o For stocks imported after 15th May 2021, stock limit applicable to wholesaler, will apply after 45 days from date of customs clearance.
Thereafter taking into account the salutary effect on prices and the feedback from stakeholders, the stock limits were revised vide S.O. No. 2871(E) dated 19th July 2021 and made applicable only for Tur, Masoor, Urad and Chana, for all States and Union Territories, up to 31st October, 2021 as follows:
• Wholesaler: 500 MT (subject to condition that there should not be more than 200 MT of one variety)
• Retailer: 5 MT
• Millers: Stock limits will be last 6 months production or 50% of annual installed capacity, whichever is higher.
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