Alarmed over high prices of pulses, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed the situation and directed officials to check its hoarding by launching a drive against those indulging in black-marketing.
Chouhan chaired a high level meeting on prices of pulses at Mantralaya here on Saturday. It was found during the review that prices of pulses have increased disproportionately during recent days. As a result, it was decided to impose the Stock limit and Control Order on Trading of Pulses.
Besides, the Chief Minister also directed to launch an intensive campaign to check hoarding and black-marketing of pulses saying that those involved will have to face strict action.
Chouhan inquired about increasing prices of pulses and directed to immediately apply the provisions of the control order. Strict action should be taken against the traders involved in black-marketing and hoarding, he added. He directed all collectors to launch enquiry against hoarders of pulses and ensure strict action if the malpractice is proved.
Chief Secretary Anthony DeSa, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Iqbal Singh Bains, Principal Secretary Food and Civil Supplies Ashok Warnwal and Secretary to CM Vivek Agrawal were present.
The State Government has invoked the Madhya Pradesh Essential Commodities Trade Stock limit and Restriction of Hoarding Order 2015. With this the maximum stock limit has been ascertained for traders of pulses, commission agents and processors.
The limit for cities with over 10 lakh population is 2000 quintals for wholesale traders on tuar, moong, udad and masoor. It is 1000 quintals for cities having population between 3 and 10 lakh and for cities with less than three lakh population the maximum limit is 500 quintals.
The stock limit has also been fixed for the retailers. It is 50 quintals for cities with over three lakh populations and 40 quintal for cities with less than three lakh. Besides, provisions have also been implemented that traders should give fortnightly returns about stocks and prices.