Government imposes stock limits for wheat and pulses to check prices

New Delhi, Aug 31 (UNI) In a bid to check spiralling prices of essential commodities, the government today imposed stock limits for traders on wheat and pulses for a period of six months.

The move made under the ''Removal of (Licensing requirements, Stock limits and Movement Restrictions) on Specified Foodstuffs (Amendment) Order, 2006'' will remain in effect for six months.

The Centre has restored the powers of state governments for imposing stock-holding limits for wheat and pulses under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, to check the further price rise.

This move will also help undertake de-hoarding of stored wheat to be offloaded in the open market.

This step has been necessitated because of delay in the arrival of imported wheat, low stocks and lower than expected wheat production this year.

However, this order will not affect the transport, distribution or disposal of wheat and pulses (whole or split) to places outside the state, or their imports, according to an official release here today.

The Central and state governments may direct the importers to declare the receipts of stocks of these commodities and stocks retained by them.

The Order came into effect on August 29, 2006, the release added.

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