The Government of India has issued an order imposing stock limits on pulses applicable to wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers, millers, and importers in order to prevent hoarding and dishonest speculation as well as to improve affordability to consumers with regard to tur dal and urad dal. With immediate effect as of, June 2, 2023, the Removal of Licencing Requirements, Stock Limits, and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs (Amendment) Order, 2023 has been issued.

Stock restrictions for Tur and Urad have been established under this directive for all States and Union Territories through October 31, 2023. For wholesalers, the stock limitations for each pulse will be 200 MT; for retailers, 5 MT; for big chain stores, 200 MT at the depot; and for millers, the past three months of production or 25% of yearly installed capacity, whichever is higher. Importers are not allowed to keep imported merchandise for more than 30 days after the date of customs clearance. The relevant legal entities must disclose their stock holdings on the Department of Consumer Affairs website (https://fcainfoweb.nic.in/psp), and if their holdings are higher than the allowable limits, they must reduce them within 30 days of the notification’s issuance.

The government’s ongoing efforts to lower the cost of key commodities continue with the installation of stock limitations on tur and urad. Through a stock disclosure site that was reviewed weekly with the State Government, the Department of Consumer Affairs had been constantly monitoring the stock positions of tur and Urad. To ensure the disclosure of stocks, several discussions with different stakeholders, including importers, millers, and retailers, were held. Senior officers also visited the states of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu to assess the situation on the ground.