NEW DELHI, 6 June 2023: Indian government has removed the procurement ceiling of 40 percent for tur, urad and masur under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) for the 2023-24 marketing season.
This means that farmers are now free to sell any amount of their produce of tur, urad and masur under the PSS.
The decision to remove the procurement ceiling is a significant step towards boosting domestic production of pulses. It is expected to increase the sowing area of these pulses during the upcoming Kharif and Rabi seasons.
Government has also imposed stock limits on tur and urad by invoking the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. This is to prevent hoarding and unscrupulous speculation, and to improve affordability to the consumers.
The stock limits have been made applicable to wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers, millers and importers. It has also been made mandatory for these entities to declare the stock position on the portal of the Department of Consumer Affairs.
The state governments have been directed to ensure strict enforcement of the stock limits in their respective states. They have also been asked to monitor prices and stocks position by verifying with various warehouse operators.
The Department of Consumer Affairs has also asked Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) and State Warehousing Corporations (SWCs) to provide the details pertaining to tur and urad held in their warehouses.
Image credit: Deccan Herald
