Government may remove stock holding limit on three pulses varieties

NEW DELHI: The government may remove the restriction on traders from holding stock of three pulses -- gram, yellow peas and red lentil -- beyond the prescribed ceiling, in view of stable prices of these varieties.

To check price rise, state governments are currently empowered to fix a stock holding limit on pulses and take action against traders if they hoard the stock beyond the prescribed ceiling.

"There is price rise in some pulses especially tur, moong and urad. But prices of chana (gram), mattar (yellow peas) and masoor dal (red lentils) are stable. There is no point to have a blanket stock limit order on all pulses," Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan told reporters here.

"Our view is that the stock holding limits should not be imposed on three pulses - chana, mattar and masoor dal as their prices are stable as of now," he further said.

The Food Ministry is considering exemption of these three varieties from stock holding limit order in view of concerns raised by some state governments, particularly Rajasthan.

As per the data maintained by Consumer Affairs Ministry, prices of tur, moong and urad have risen by more than 60 per cent in most parts of the country. Retail prices of these three pulses have already breached Rs 100 per kg.

Paswan said that the government is monitoring prices of pulses and other essential food items and measures are being taken to boost domestic supply through imports.

Other strategies to tackle food inflation and de-hoarding measures will be discussed in a meeting of state food ministers in the next week, he added.

Asked if possible poor monsoon rains would impact prices of key food items, the Minister said, "On wheat, rice and sugar, there won't be impact as we have sufficient supply."