Angry with raids, traders to shut shop

 

Faced with skyrocketing prices crossing Rs 200 per kg for tur dal and urad dal, the state government has issued a stringent set of rules prescribing the amount of stocks that can be held by traders. 

FKCCI says that in the last few weeks, the government not only issued a notification about the need for license to hold stocks of pulses by the traders but even before the traders could receive the notification; they have raided the traders and seized stocks which in most cases were maintained legally.

 

A delegation led by FKCCI called on Dinesh Gundu Rao,  Minister of Food & Civil Supplies, GoK, on Saturday, October 31 and apprised him of the situation and requested to instruct the authorities to issue licenses urgently. Representatives of FKCCI said that till licenses were issued, submission of applications should be considered as authorisation to hold valid stocks. A majority of traders have applied for licenses as per new notification but the Department is not equipped to issue licenses early, they alleged. 

 

The delegation assured the minister that they would ensure the prices of tur and urad dal would be brought down considerably in the next couple of weeks. While, the officials claim they have seized large quantities of pulses, the quantity of tur and urad dal confiscated is only a small amount which has no significant impact on prices at the retail level. 

 

However, the arbitrary action has caused fear among retailers who are afraid to buy further stock to store and distribute in their shop. This would automatically create shortages and price disruption, the delegates informed the Minister.

 

Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao told Deccan Chronicle that he would hold talks with traders and FKCCI representatives on Wednesday.

 

He said “I am in Delhi and did not know about the APMC market bundh call given by FKCCI. I will hold talks with them on Wednesday. I do not have soft corner for anybody including multinational companies. The recent raids were as per directions of the Government of India and also initiative by Karnataka government under the provisions of Essential Commodities Act.” 

 

On licence issue, Mr Dinesh said it had been made mandatory for traders to have license to stock pulses. However, no one was checking as the prices of pulses were under control. But it was must for every trader to stock limited pulses and cereals,” he added.