India imposes stock limits on tur, chana to cool prices

New Delhi: The government has imposed stock limits on pulses - tur and chana - applicable to wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers, millers and importers till September 30 with immediate effect to prevent hoarding and improve availability, it said in a statement.

Under this order, stock limits have been prescribed for tur and chana, including kabuli chana, applicable to each of the pulses individually will be 200 MT for wholesalers, 5 MT for retailers, 5 MT at each retail outlet and 200 MT at depot for big chain retailers. For the millers the limit is the last 3 months of production or 25% of annual installed capacity, whichever is higher.

Importers are not to hold imported stock beyond 45 days from the date of customs clearance. All these entities are to declare the stock position on the portal of Department of Consumer Affairs, and in case the stocks held by them are higher than the prescribed limits, they shall bring the same to the prescribed stock limits by July 12, 2024.


Demand-supply mismatches have kept prices of pulses - tur, chana and urad -elevated for the last one year keeping inflation in the category at double digits for the entire year. India had to import nearly 8 lakh tonnes of tur and 6 lakh tonnes of urad in the last financial year.

Pulses account for 6% weight in the food basket and 2.4% in the overall consumer basket for inflation calculation and double-digit inflation has caused worry for consumers and the government.

On June 13, the average retail price of chana dal was Rs 87.74 per kg, tur (arhar) Rs 160.75 per kg, urad Rs 126.67 per kg, moong Rs 118.9 per kg and masoor Rs 94.34 per kg, according to consumer affairs ministry's data.