The Maharashtra government today issued an order to stop hoarding of pulses, edible oil and edible oilseeds till September 30 next year.
According to Food and Civil Supply Department Secretary Deepak Kapoor, it will help contain the price escalation of these essential commodities.
Pulses prices have crossed Rs 200 per kg in the retail market.
The Centre has issued anti-hoarding notification, restricting stocking of pulses and edible oils to a certain limit by stockists and traders.
On lines of the Centre, the state too issued a notification today to stop hoarding of pulses.
The decision was taken after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis instructed officials to take action against hoarders and provide relief to people.
Earlier, in April 2015, the state had lifted the ban on the hoarding of pulses and oilseeds.
Today, the state called off the previous order and once again imposed a ban on hoarding.
As per the state government's decision, wholesale and retail traders can hold a stock of 3,500 and 200 quintal of pulses respectively in 'A' class municipal Corporation limit, whereas it will be 2,500 and 150 quintal and 1,500 and 150 quintal respectively in other class municipal corporation and municipal council limits respectively.
Wholesale and retail traders cannot hoard more than 2,000 and 200 quintal edible oilseed in A class municipal corporation limit and 800 and 100 quintal in other than municipal corporation limit, the notification stated.
Wholesale traders can stock 1,000 quintal and retailers can stock 40 quintal stock of all types of edible oil in corporation limit, whereas as in other municipal corporations, the limit has been restricted to 30 and 20 quintal respectively for wholesale and retail traders.
Kapoor said the food and civil supply department will keep a tab over hoarding on a day to day basis, and during the festive season, if hoarding is found beyond permissible limits, traders will be punished according to law.
