Stock holding limit on pulses, edible oil extended for 1 yr

The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal for extending stock holding limit on pulses, edible oils and oilseeds for one more year to ensure their availability and check prices.
The validity of the current stock holding limits order with respect to these items is expiring on September 30.
"The validity of the central order dated 27.09.2012 issued in respective of pulses, edible oils and oilseeds has been extended for one year till September 30, 2014," Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tiwari told reporters here after the Cabinet meeting.
This decision would enable state governments to continue to take effective de-hoarding operations under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 by fixing stock limits and licensing requirements among others in respect of pulses, edible oils and edible oilseeds, he said.

This will also help in the efforts being taken by the Centre to tackle the problem of rising prices and also improve the availability of these commodities to general public especially the vulnerable sections, he added.
The stock holding limit has helped in controlling prices of pulses and edible oils in various parts of the country. For instance in Delhi, retail price of gram, tur and urad have come down by upto Rs 15 per kg in the last one year.

At present, retail prices of various pulses in Delhi are ruling in range of Rs 54-79 per kg, while prices stood in the range of Rs 62-78 per kg in the year-ago period.

Groundnut oil at present is available at Rs 167 per kg and mustard oil at Rs 100 per kg.
The country is dependent on import of pulses and edibles oils to meet domestic shortages. Production of these two commodities are expected to be higher in the kharif season of the current year due to strong monsoon.
The stock holding limits have been extended from time to time. Wheat and sugar have been withdrawn from the ambit of this order effective from April, 2009 and December 2011, respectively.