Centre tells states to act against entities not disclosing dal stocks
The Centre has directed the states to conduct verification of pulses stocks and take strict action on undisclosed stocks of pulses, including Tur and Urad.
The states were directed to conduct verification of stocks held by various entities and take strict action on undisclosed stocks under relevant sections of the EC Act, 1955, and the Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980.
The quantity of Tur stocks disclosed as compared to production and consumption has also been found to be low in certain states. To widen the coverage of market players, the state governments were asked to look into the data pertaining to FSSAI licenses, APMC registration, GST registration, warehouses, and custom bonded warehouses.
The Secretary in the Department of Consumer Affairs, Rohit Kumar Singh, on Wednesday, reviewed the status of stocks disclosure of Tur and Urad with major pulses producing and consuming states. Senior officials from states like Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh attended the meeting.
The number of entities registered and quantities of stocks disclosed were reviewed individually with the states, and areas, where thrust needs to be given, were highlighted in order to ensure disclosure by entities such as importers, millers, stockists, traders, etc.
Officials said that while the number of entities registered in the stock disclosure portal has increased, it was observed that the actual number of stakeholders in certain states could be higher.
The states informed that they are intensifying surveillance and shared the steps taken and the measures being taken by them to ensure mandatory registration and disclosure of stocks on the stock disclosure portal.
Officials said that in order to assess the situation on the ground, the Department of Consumer Affairs has also deputed 12 senior officials to different state capitals and districts across major Tur producing and trading centres to obtain ground-level feedback from various market players, millers, and storage operators. Their feedback would determine further course of action.
[With Inputs from IANS]
PGurus is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with all the latest news and views
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
