Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan orders immediate removal of stock limit on pulses
PUNE: Central government has directed all the states to remove stock limit on pulses. Bumper production of pulses has forced governments to increase procurement and yet it hasn’t helped the fall of prices below the minimum support price.
“In view of ample availability of pulses in the country and their falling prices, we have directed for immediate removal of stock limit on pulses.” tweeted union food minister Ram Vilas Paswan adding, “”For the benefit of farmers growing pulses, we have directed all the state governments to remove stock limit on pulses.”
After Tur dal prices hit Rs 250/kg in retail market in 2015, farmers increased the area under tur substantially. Favourable weather conditions helped in record pulses production, which, coupled with continuing imports, dragged prices of whole tur below the Minimum Support Price of Rs 50.50/kg.
Unending queues of farmers waiting at the government procurement centres for weeks to sell tur, forced the state governments to extend their procurement window, without much help to farmers.
Removal of stock limit helps traders and processors to buy more tur, which in turn can help the falling prices.
Source: ECONOMIC TIMES