Maharashtra to enact law to fix maximum price of pulses

State administration envisages imprisonment and fine for non-compliance

Under attack from the opposition and consumer organizations for not doing enough to tackle the rising prices of pulses, the BJP led government in Maharashtra will enact new law to fix the maximum price specially when there is a spurt and thereby curb hoarding. The proposed legislation titled  Maharashtra Pulses Price Control Act  also aims to curb hoarding. The state cabinet chaired by the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday gave approval for the draft legislation.

Those who will not comply with the provisions of the proposed law will face three months imprisonment which can be extended up to one year and an hefty fine.

The government's move comes when the retail tur dal prices last week shot up to Rs 150 per kg . Subsequently, the government had given instructions to district collectorates and the District Supply Officers (DSOs) to be vigilant and check hoarding of pulses. Besides, the government had also directed the field level officers to take a stern action against illegal hoarding.

BJP minister told Business Standard,'' The price of pulses, which will be fixed during rise, will be different in big cities and towns and villages. The consumers will benefit a lot as they can purchase pulses at the government fixed price especially.''

He admitted that the severe drought crisis in Maharashtra has hit production of pulses. The government is concerned that the supply shortage might fuel the crisis further.

However, the consumer organizations including the Mumbai Grahak Panchayat (MGP) are not enthused with the government's move. MGP's advocacy and campaign head Varsha Raut questioned the very need to have a new law especially when the government can control the price under section 3 (2) (c) of the Essential Commodities Act. ''Government should have taken the easiest route of price fixation instead of such length procedure. If the government is keen to curb prices, still it has an option to issue the order. MGP had asked for pulse price control order and not the new act,'' said Raut.

LOWDOWN

• The BJP-led government in Maharashtra will enact new law to fix the maximum price specially when there is a spurt and thereby curb hoarding
   
• The proposed legislation titled  Maharashtra Pulses Price Control Act  also aims to curb hoarding
   
• The state cabinet chaired by CM gave approval for the draft legislation