Pulse holding rule may last till end Dec with tighter limit

Stockholding limits in tur and urad may be extended till year end to boost domestic supply

- Puja Das

NEW DELHI : The Centre plans to tighten the stockholding limit on tur (pigeon pea) and urad (black gram) pulses and extend it by two months in a bid to check prices and boost domestic supplies until the arrival of fresh stocks.

The government also plans to purchase farmers’ produce as well as imported masur (lentil) from the domestic market under the price stabilization fund (PSF) scheme, two senior officials said.

The government slapped limits on the stocks of tur and urad dal in June to curb hoarding and speculation amid soaring prices. Stock limits are in place on a range of entities such as wholesalers, retailers, millers and importers until 31 October.

“We are looking at extending the period for holding limits on the stocks of tur and urad dal and reducing the permitted holding limit because it is unlikely that by 31 October prices will come down and the fresh Kharif crops will hit the market," one of the officials said.