In a decisive move, the central government has imposed stock limits on tur and chana, effective immediately and lasting until September 30. This measure, targeting wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers, millers, and importers, aims to curb hoarding and speculative practices, thereby enhancing the affordability of these essential pulses for consumers.
The Consumer Affairs Ministry, through the “Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs (Amendment) Order, 2024,” has set stringent stock limits: 200 tonnes for wholesalers and 5 tonnes for retailers, including each outlet of large retail chains. For millers, the limit is set at the quantity equivalent to the last three months of production or 25% of annual installed capacity, whichever is higher. Importers must not hold imported tur and chana stocks beyond 45 days from the date of customs clearance, ensuring a continuous supply chain.
Stakeholders must comply with these limits by July 12, reducing their stocks accordingly. This directive follows a series of measures by the Department of Consumer Affairs, which has been rigorously monitoring pulse stocks through a dedicated disclosure portal. Earlier in April, the department mandated stock disclosure from all entities and held meetings with traders, stockists, dealers, importers, millers, and big chain retailers to promote transparency and maintain pulse affordability.
Additionally, in a bid to boost domestic availability, the government abolished the 66% import duty on chana in May. This reduction has encouraged higher imports and increased sowing of chana in major producing countries. Notably, Australia’s chana production is projected to surge from 500,000 tonnes in 2023-24 to 1.1 million tonnes in 2024-25, with new supplies expected from October. Concurrently, imports of the current year’s tur crop from East African nations are anticipated to commence in August.
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to procuring tur, urad, and masur at minimum support prices (MSP) to enhance domestic production and reduce reliance on imports. Speaking in a virtual meeting with state agriculture ministers, Chouhan underscored the government’s objective of achieving self-sufficiency in pulse production by 2027. He introduced the e-Samridhi portal, launched in collaboration with cooperatives Nafed and NCCF, to facilitate farmer registration and assured procurement.
Highlighting the nation’s progress, Chouhan noted that India’s dependency on pulse imports has decreased from 30% to 10% over the past decade, achieving self-sufficiency in moong and chana. He also announced the rollout of the New Model Pulses Village scheme in the upcoming kharif season, focusing on the utilization of fallow lands post-rice harvests for pulse cultivation.
The government’s proactive measures, from imposing stock limits to enhancing domestic production and procurement, underscore its dedication to stabilizing pulse prices and ensuring their availability for all citizens.