Centre Directs States and UTs to Enforce Weekly Stock Disclosure of Pulses

New Delhi: To curb hoarding and market manipulation, the Centre has instructed all States and Union Territories to enforce weekly stock disclosure of pulses by stockholding entities. The directive also includes verifying the stocks declared by these entities, with strict action to be taken against those found reporting false information.

The Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Nidhi Khare, chaired a meeting today with Principal Secretaries and Secretaries of State Consumer Affairs, Food & Civil Supplies Departments to follow up on the directive issued on April 5, 2024. The objective is to enhance vigilance over the stock position and price trends of pulses.

During the meeting, Khare emphasized the importance of increased vigilance to prevent hoarding and market manipulation. Additionally, a separate meeting was held with pulses importers associations and industry representatives to discuss issues related to import and stock disclosure.

Importers and industry players have been urged to diligently declare their stock of pulses, including imported Yellow Peas, on a weekly basis. In response to this, the Department of Consumer Affairs has revamped the stock disclosure portal to include Yellow Peas and Big Chain Retailer as an operational entity, effective from April 15, 2024.

Apart from the major pulses such as Tur, Urad, Chana, Masur, and Moong, States and UTs have been instructed to monitor the stock position of imported Yellow Peas. The import of Yellow Peas was permitted from December 8, 2023, until June 30, 2024, to enhance the overall availability of pulses.

Khare emphasized the need to ensure the continuous release of imported Yellow Peas in the market and to monitor stocks of Tur, Urad, and Masur with importers for smooth and uninterrupted market supply.