Govt extends stock limits on pulses, edible oils by 1 yr

New Delhi, Sep 21 (PTI) The government today extendedstockholding limits on traders of pulses, edible oils andoilseeds by one year till September 30, 2017, to checkhoarding and control price rise. A decision in this regard was taken in the Cabinetmeeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Stockholding limits on traders of pulses, edible oils andoilseeds expires this month-end. "The Union Cabinet has approved extension of stock limiton pulses, oil seeds and oils for a further period of one yearup to September 30, 2017," Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan toldPTI after the meeting. By and large, all the state governments have supported theimposition of stock limits. This step will ensure smoothsupply of commodities and will enable the states to actagainst hoarding, he said. Paswan also said the state governments can issue controlorders with the concurrence of the central government onimporters, millers, wholesalers and retailers as needed. Stockholding limits are imposed under the EssentialCommodities Act in order to check hoarding and blackmarketing. The country is dependent on import of pulses and edibleoils as the domestic production is lower than the demand.Pulses prices in retail markets are still ruling high due toshortfall in the domestic production in past two years becauseof droughts. PTI LUXABK