Traders in Odisha demand review of stock holding order

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Oct 26:

With the state government upping its ante against hoarders and black marketers of pulses, traders today met the Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Minister Sanjay Das Burma and demanded review of Odisha Specified Foodstuffs (Stock Holding Limit) Order, 2010 keeping in view on the market demand.

“We had discussions with the state government on six counts. Within next 15 days the state government will review the Stock Holding Limit Order, 2010 and make amends to it keeping in mind the market demand under present conditions. As the order was made five years ago, it needs to be revised. The traders need to be allowed to stock more quantity of foodstuffs,” said Odisha Byabasayee Mahasangha president Sudhakar Panda.

A stockist can at best hold 750 quintals of pulses at one time according to the Odisha Specified Foodstuffs (Stock Holding Limit) Order, 2010. However, during the raids it was found that traders were holding more pulses than the specified limit, sources revealed.

“They have raised the issue of stock holding limit order of 2010. They have sought for amendment/raising of the stock holding limit as laid down in the 2010 order of the Essential Commodities Act.   We are examining the demands of the traders. A decision in regard to review of the stock holding limit will be taken within 15 days,” Das Burma said.

On the traders demand for withdrawal of VAT on pulses and withdrawal of ban on use of ‘Khesari’ dal in the state and immediate release of pulses seized during raids, the Minister however said: “The state government will examine and consider.”

“Traders in the state will have display a list of stocks and prices of pulses sold by them. This will be made mandatory from October 28,” Das Burma said while admitting that pulses were being allegedly sold at higher prices than the actual market price.

Meanwhile, raids on dal godowns continued at different places across the state today.