Availability of Pigeon Peas (Toor Dal) is less nowadays. To control the prices, the Toor Dal government is taking necessary steps from time to time. India is one of the largest consumers and grower of pulses. It also imports some pulses to meet its portion of consumption needs.
Control by stock limit
2nd June, 2023 the Central Government had imposed stock limits on Pigeon Peas and Black Gram Split by invoking the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to avert hoarding and devious speculation. Intention to create such a limit is to improve affordability to the consumers at affordable prices. As per this order stock limits have been prescribed otherwise mentioned until October 31, 2023 for all states and Union territories of India.
Stock limits are applicable to all those individuals who are involved in sales of the pulses including big chain retailers; wholesalers and retail outlet dealers. Limit for wholesalers & big chain retailers is 200 Metric Ton and for retailers it is 5 Metric Ton. For “millers” it is the last 3 months of production or 25% of annual installed capacity, whichever is higher.
CG will pour its buffer stock in market
The Central Government proclaimed that it will free Pigeon Peas from its national buffer stock. This process of stock clearance will be done in a “calibrated and targeted” manner. This will give leverage till imported stock arrives in the domestic market.
National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF) have received orders from the ministry to dispose of Pigeon Peas through online auction among eligible millers to boost the available stocks for milling into finished Pigeon Peas for the consumers.
Normally, the government retains buffer stock to manage necessities and to evade impulsive rise in commodity prices. “The quantities being auctioned and the frequency will be calibrated on the basis of the assessed impact of the disposal on the availability of Pigeon Peas to consumers at affordable prices” , the Ministry said.
To conclude, as Pigeon Peas l is one the mostly consumed pulse in India and to regulate its inflation, the central government instructed the state governments to monitor the prices of pluses on regular basis in their respective States and to verify the stock positions of stock-holding entities in order to take strict action on those who violated the stock limits order. Apart from this CG will also release buffer stock to maintain the availability and to control its prices.