Govt to reimpose curbs on wheat storage, distribution

The government has decided to reimpose all the controls and curbs on distribution and storage of wheat and pulses that were in force before June 2002 when they were removed by the NDA government.

This is being done by re-validation of the control orders issued by the state governments for this purpose under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. These orders were rescinded in June 2002 and 2003 following the dilution of the EC Act.

The Cabinet has already cleared the move and a notification to this effect is likely to be issued anytime now.

This is part of the government's efforts to keep the prices of wheat and pulses under check.

The move was demanded by the chief ministers of Congress-ruled states in their recent meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi on the price rise issue.