Spiralling prices force MP govt to warn traders against hoarding pulses

The state government on Saturday imposed stock limit and pulses control order in the state and issued warning to traders not to attempt hoarding.

The state government on Saturday imposed stock limit and pulses control order in the state and issued warning to traders not to attempt hoarding.

The order came even as prices of pulses, especially Tuar daal spiraled sharply during last fortnight. On Friday, Tuar daal was sold at Rs 197 per kg in retail market, sources said.

On Saturday, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a high level meeting on the issue following which the decision to impose the order was taken. The CM also directed to launch an intensive campaign to check hoarding and black-marketing of pulses warning that those involved will have to face strict action, a government release said.

Later in the evening, series of raids were conducted on pulses traders in the busy Jumerati market in Bhopal, showing the strict intention of the government. The raids were conducted by district administration after receiving information of possible hoarding, officials told HT.

According to the pulses order (Madhya Pradesh Essential Commodities Trade Stock Limit and Restriction of Hoarding Order 2015), the wholesalers can only stock up to 2000 quintals of pulses (including Tuar, Moong, Udad and Masoor) in cities with over 10 lakh population.

For cities with population of 3-10 lakh, the limit is 1000 quintals and for all others - 500 quintals. At the retailers level this limit is 50 kg for first two categories and 40 kg for other cities.

Traders have been asked to submit fortnightly report on stock and prices.

Chief secretary Anthony De Sa, principal secretary to CM Iqbal Singh Bains, principal secretary of food and civil Supplies Ashok Barnwal and secretary to CM Vivek Agrawal were present.