With the state government expediting raids to check hoarding of pulses, traders today demanded review of Odisha Specified Foodstuffs (Stock Holding) Limit) Order, 2010 keeping in view on the market demand.
"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 Mahasangha president Sudhakar Panda.
The demand was made by Odisha Byabasai Mahasangha, which held a discussion with the food supplies and consumer welfare minister Sanjay Dasburma here.
According to Odisha Specified Foodstuffs (Stock Holding Limit) Order, 2010, a stockist can at best hold 750 quintal of pulses at one time. During the ongoing raids, however, it was found that some of the traders were holding more pulses than the specified limit against the order, officials said.
The Minister, however, said the state government would examine and consider the demands made by the traders, which include withdrawal of VAT on pulses in order to stabilise the market, withdrawal of ban on use of 'Khesari' dal in the state and immediate release of pulses seized during raids.
"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," Dasburma said.
The minister said the traders were told to hang the list of stocks and prices of pulses being sold in retial shops. "This is mandatory from October 28," Dasburma said adding that pulses were allegedly sold at higher price in some places than the acutal market rate.
During the raid yesterday the department seized 170 bags of pulses from a retired teacher's house at Dumduma in the capital city. The supply department officials also raided a godown at Chandanpur area in Puri and seized 176 quintals of pulses.
With this, the seized amount of illegally-stocked pulses rose to 178 tonnes in the state so far. Simultaneous raids were also conducted at Balasore, Bhubaneswar, Puri and Sambalpur, the officials said.
