Pulses imports to get relief from storage controls, says Fadnavis

The Maharashtra CM says pulses seized from hoarders across the state would be sold in the market within a week

Importers of pulses might soon get some relief, in a policy change on stock limits.

Maharashtra’s chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, told this newspaper: “During discussion with (us), the Centre has conveyed that import of pulses will be allowed and there won't be any stock limit. However, importers will have to maintain a special register and clear the imported stock within a specified time limit.”

With several pulses trading at a high price, the central government had, 10 days earlier, imposed stringent limits on stocks; these also applied to importers and warehouses recognised by commodity exchanges. Importers had complained that this would not allow them to even collect stock that had already been imported and was at the ports. At the port here, for instance, 250,000 tonnes of various pulses are still uncleared. For delivery till December, importers have contracted for 2.5 million tonnes.

“If relief to importers from stock limits is not given, the move will boomerang (in the aim to control prices),” importers had told the Union finance minister last week.

Fadnavis said the pulses seized from hoarders across the state would be sold in the market within a week. “This will help further reduce tur dal (pigeon pea) prices in particular. Wholesalers have brought to the government’s notice that they have reduced tur dal's price but further action is required from retailers. This will help reduce tur dal to Rs 125-130 a kg.”

Oilseeds

On Thursday, the state government had issued a notification substantially relaxing stock limits for oilseeds, by almost 10-fold. For wholesalers in a corporation area, it has been increased from 2,000 quintals to 20,000 qtls, and for retailers from 200 qtls to 2,000 qtls. For other areas, it goes from 800 qtls at present to 8,000 qtls for wholesalers and from 100 qtls to 2,000 qtls for retailers.