The Indian Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (Department of Consumer Affairs) issued an order on 2nd June 2023 that amends the Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs Order, 2016. This amendment, effective immediately, imposes new regulations and stock limits on pulses such as tur and urad.
The amended order introduces specific stock limits for wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers, millers, and importers. Notably, the most significant impact of this amendment is the requirement for these entities to declare their stocks’ positions on the portal of the Department of Consumer Affairs.
For wholesalers, the limit is set at 200 MT for each type of pulse. Retailers and big chain retailers have a limit of 5 MT for each pulse at each retail outlet, with big chain retailers allowed an additional 200 MT at their depot. Millers are restricted to the last 3 months of production or 25% of their annual installed capacity, whichever is higher. Importers, meanwhile, are required not to hold imported stock beyond 30 days from the date of custom clearance.
This order marks a significant regulatory change in the handling of specified foodstuffs in India, particularly for pulses. By imposing these measures, the government aims to maintain control over the distribution and storage of essential commodities, prevent hoarding, and ensure fair pricing. It’s crucial for all stakeholders involved in the foodstuffs trade to be aware of these changes and ensure compliance to avoid penalties.
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(Department of Consumer Affairs)
ORDER
New Delhi, the 2nd June, 2023
S.O. 2423(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (10 of 1955), the Central Government hereby makes the following order further to amend the Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs Order, 2016, namely:-
1. Short Title and Commencement-
(1) This order may be called the Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs (Amendment) Order, 2023
(2) It shall come into force with immediate effect.
2. In the Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs Order, 2016, in clause 3, in sub-clause (2), item (i) shall be inserted namely:-
“(i) Pulses namely tur and urad for a period up to 31st October 2023 with following stock limits for all States and Union Territories:
- Wholesaler: 200 MT for each of the pulse;
- Retailer:5 MT for each of the pulse
- Big chain retailers: 5 MT for each of the pulse at each retail outlet and 200 MT at depot for each of the pulse;
- Millers: Stock limits will be last 3 months production or 25% of annual installed capacity, whichever is higher.
Importers: Importers not to hold imported stock beyond 30 days from the date of custom clearance.
3. Respective legal entities, as above, shall declare the stocks position on the portal (fcainfoweb.nic.in/psp) of Department of Consumer Affairs and in case the stocks held by them are higher than the prescribed limits then they shall bring the same to the prescribed stock limits within 30 days of issue of this notification.
4. It shall be ensured that pulses stock is regularly declared and updated on the portal of this Department i.e. Department of Consumer Affairs.
[F. No. S-10/3/2019-ECR&E]
ANUPAM MISHRA, Jt. Secy.
Note :The principal order was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R. 929(E), dated the 29th September, 2016 and was subsequently amended vide numbers S.O. 3341(E), dated the 27th October, 2016, S.O. 1288(E), dated the 25th April, 2017, S.O. 1600(E), dated the 17th May, 2017, S.O.2785 (E), dated the 25th August, 2017, S.O. 3136(E), dated the 27th September,2017, S.O. 3397(E), dated the 23rd October,2017, S.O. 3422(E), dated the 25th October,2017, S.O. 4079(E), dated the 27th December,2017 and S.O. 2414(E) dated the 13th June, 2018, S.O. 2826(E), dated the 6th August, 2019, S.O. 3540(E), dated the 29th September, 2019, S.O. 4298(E), dated the 28th November, 2019, S.O. 4341(E), dated the 3rd December, 2019, S.O. 4417(E), dated the 10th December, 2019, S.O. 4471(E), dated the 16th December, 2019, S.O. 901(E), dated the 27th February, 2020,S.O. 3776(E), dated the 23rd October, 2020, S.O. 2674(E), dated the2nd July, 2021 and S.O. 2871(E), dated the 19th July, 2021.
