The Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies department on Thursday raided a godown and recovered 23, 050 quintals of pulses hoarded by traders and dal mill owners here.
Deputy Director of the state Food and Civil supplies department A.T. Jayappa told ANI that the total value of the seized pulses is Rs. 22.25 crores.
“This godown belongs to State Warehouse Corporation. Some traders and dal mill owners are storing here some pulses. They have stored 2000 quintals Tur, 1850 quintals of Tur dal, 6500 quintals Moong, 1200 quintals Moong dal, 1000 quintals Urad and Channa 10000 quintals and Channa dal 500 quintals, totally 23, 050 quintals are stored here,” said Jayappa .
“Total value is Rs. 22.25 crores. Today we are seizing the entire stock,” he added.
The Government had reviewed the imposition of stock limits and the enforcement measures taken by states to check hoarding of pulses in a meeting yesterday.
An amendment was made under essential commodities act to enable states to impose stock limits on pulses sourced from imports, held by exporters, large food processing units as well as large departmental retailers.
The states were exhorted to carryout surprise inspections and raids to prevent hoarding of pulses.
Meanwhile, Government of India has increased the retail distribution of tur dal at the rate of Rs 120/- per kg through nearly 500 outlets of Kendriya Bhandar and Safal in and around Delhi and other locations.
All of these measures are expected to improve supply position in the market thereby moderating the prices of pulses.