Centre Approves Tamil Nadu’s Proposal to Impose Stock Limits on Tur and Urad Pulses

Chennai: The Centre has approved Tamil Nadu’s proposal to impose stockholding limits on tur (pigeon pea) and urad (black gram), following concerns over rising retail prices of pulses in the state.

The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, has conveyed its concurrence to the Tamil Nadu government to issue a control order imposing stock limits on the two pulse varieties. The proposed restrictions are aimed at preventing excessive stockholding, hoarding and black marketing while ensuring the availability of pulses at reasonable prices.

According to the state government's proposal, wholesalers will be allowed to stock up to 200 tonnes each of tur and urad. The proposed limit for retailers and large-chain retailers is five tonnes each.

For pulse millers, the permissible stockholding limit for each variety will be determined by either their average processing capacity over the preceding three months or 25% of their annual processing capacity, whichever is higher.

Importers will also be subject to restrictions, with the proposal allowing them to hold stocks for no more than 45 days after the actual arrival of a consignment.

The Tamil Nadu government had approached the Centre seeking permission to impose stockholding limits on several essential agricultural commodities, including rice, pulses, edible oils and onions, citing retail prices that were higher than the national average.

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had earlier written to the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, requesting approval for these measures under the Essential Commodities Act.

However, the Centre has indicated that a separate stock control order for onions may not be necessary, as wholesale and retail prices of the commodity have been declining across most parts of the country, including Tamil Nadu.

The state government has been advised to take the necessary steps for issuing and implementing the proposed control order for tur and urad in accordance with the applicable legal provisions.

Tamil Nadu had also highlighted the possibility of production disruptions due to adverse climatic conditions, including the impact of El Niño and inadequate rainfall. According to the state government's assessment, potential crop failures could encourage wholesalers and millers to build up excessive inventories, adding to inflationary pressures and affecting consumers' purchasing power.

Meanwhile, the Centre is monitoring the domestic pulse supply situation and plans to release buffer stocks in a calibrated manner to moderate prices and improve market availability.

The country's buffer stock of pulses across varieties has reached a record 3.8 million tonnes, providing an additional supply cushion for the domestic market.

Retail inflation in the pulses category stood at 4.68% year-on-year in September 2026, reflecting continued price pressures in the segment.

The proposed stockholding restrictions, along with the calibrated release of government buffer stocks, are expected to strengthen market availability and help contain price volatility in key pulses.