The Hindu Business Line : Gujarat imposes stock limits

Gandhinagar, Aug. 18 With prices of essential commodities rising amid scanty rains and looming drought in some parts of the State, the Gujarat Government has imposed strict laws for stock limits. It has also started cracking down on hoarders, an official said here on Tuesday.

To ensure adequate supplies of foodgrains, pulses and edible oils, the Government has finalised an action plan that is to be rolled out in a phased manner.

Accordingly, wholesalers have been allowed to stock 1,000 quintals of all pulses and 2,000 quintals of sugar. Retailers can stock up to 50 quintals of pulses and 200 quintals of sugar.

It has been made mandatory for all traders to take a licence to stock 25 quintals or more of these commodities and clear the stock every 30 days. District authorities have been instructed in this regard. .

The Centre had directed State governments to implement the stock limit rules.

While pulses have been sown only on 5.25 lakh hectares due to less-than-normal rains this year, as against the target of 6.25 lakh hectares, farmers are worried about the yield falling if there is no rainin the next couple of weeks.

Mr Rajesh Kishore, Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies Department, told Business Line that the Gujarat Government is strictly following the Centre’s guidelines on stock limits it had set in 2007 for sugar and pulses and has been initiating action against hoarders under the laws relating to prevention of black-marketing and ensuring supplies under the Essential Commodities Act.

Recently, the officials seized Rs 80 lakh worth of pulses from Rajkot for violating stock limit orders.

In Deesa town of Banaskantha district, sugar worth Rs 1 crore was seized.

Related Stories:
Soaring food prices belie falling headline inflation
Govt set to crack whip on hoarders

More Stories on : Commodities | Economic Offences | Gujarat | Agricultural Policy

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