Andhra invokes control order on pulses

The Andhra Pradesh government today invoked the control order on pulses by restoring the licensing requirement and stock limits of the commodity for next six months basing on the similar orders issued by the Centre with regard to wheat and pulses last month.

However, the state government's order will neither interfere with the transportation, distribution or disposal of pulses to places outside the state nor will it be applicable to import of this commodity unless the state and the Central governments direct the importers to declare receipts of stocks of the commodity and stocks retained by them.

The Centre's orders issued on August 28, 2006, stated that "the words or expressions made in respect of purchases, movement, sale, supply, distribution or storage for sale in the Removal (of licensing requirements, stock limits and movement restrictions) on Specified Foodstuffs Order, 2002, will be kept in abeyance for commodities, namely wheat and pulses, for a period of six months from the date of issue of the order".

The state government urged the Centre to restore the control order for pulses in view of steep increase in retail prices in local markets.