Govt extends holding limits on pulses, edible oils by one year

The validity of stock holding limits order on pulses, edible oils and edible oilseeds, which has been extended regularly, and will expire in the current month.

"The validity of central orders dated September 29, 2011 issued in respect of pulses, edible oils and edible oilseeds to be extended for a further period from October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013," an official release said.

This will moderate prices of these items and ensure its availability at fair prices to general public, it said.

In view of rising prices and unsatisfactory monsoon in the prevailing circumstances, the objective of the Central Orders is to enable state governments to continue to take effective de-hoarding operations under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 by fixing stock limits, it added.

"This (stock limits) is expected to help in the efforts being taken to tackle the problem of rising prices and also improve availability of these commodities to general public, especially the vulnerable sections," the statement said.

The government also mentioned that the stock holding limits on rice and paddy will expire on November 30, 2012 and seven states including Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Manipur have sought extension.

As far as wheat and sugar were considered, the government said the stock limits were withdrawn from the ambit of these orders from April 2009 and December, 2011, respectively.

The country is dependent on import of pulses and edibles oils to meet domestic shortages. Production of these two commodities are expected to be lower in the kharif season of the current year due to poor monsoon.