Delhi govt removes stock limit on pulses

With an aim to control the price of pulses in the national Capital, the Delhi government on Tuesday removed the stocking limits on pulses.

Reacting to the development, the Delhi Grain Merchant Association, led by J K Goyal, expressed its gratitude towards the Chief Minister and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain.

Various grain merchant associations had been requesting the Delhi government to remove such limits, as traders and millers were finding it difficult to stock and dispose the pulses in the prescribed time limits and quantities.

The associations had been contending that such practices were leading to artificial spiralling of prices of pulses in market in uncompetitive way.

In the past, the stock limits were a necessity due to limited supply of pulses and to check undesirable and unhealthy practices of hoarding and black-marketing. The Central Government has also been intervening from time to time in order to prevent such unwarranted activities.

The Centre had also recently asked various state governments, including the Delhi government, to consider removal of stock limits on pulses.

In a communiqué, Hussain informed that after detailed deliberations with various stakeholders by the Chief Minister – including various grain merchant associations spearheaded by J K Goyal and with the Department of Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs – it was decided to do away with the imposition of stock limits for pulses in Delhi.

The Minister observed that the decision will help in smoothen the supply and availability of pulses and bring down retail prices by allowing free inter-play of market forces.

Hussain also asked pulse millers, traders, stockists and retailers to ensure the availability of pulses to the general public at competitive and affordable prices. A notification to this effect has already been issued.