Centre issues advisory for mandatory stock disclosure of Masur (lentil) with immediate effect

The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India has issued a notice for mandatory disclosure of Masur (lentil) stocks with immediate effect. All interested parties should mandatorily disclose their Masur shares on the share disclosure portal (https://fcainfoweb.nic.in/psp) maintained by the department every Friday. Any undisclosed action, if found, will be considered a hoarding and appropriate action will be initiated under EC Law.

Shri Rohit Kumar Singh, secretary of the Consumer Department, instructed the department to carry out large-scale procurement of lentil buffers at the weekly price review meeting. The goal is to source available shares at prices around the MSP. This came at a time when NAFED and NCCF had to suspend their tenders for the purchase of imported lentils due to exorbitant offers received from few suppliers amid hints of cartelisation.

The Consumer Affairs Secretary said that as the flow of imports of lentils from Canada and Tur from African countries increases, few players are trying to manipulate the market against the interests of consumers and the nation. The government is watching developments very closely and will take stringent measures to get stocks on the market to ensure all pulses are available at reasonable prices during the festival season.

He further added that judiciously balancing the interests of farmers against those of consumers is paramount and the Department will not hesitate to initiate stern action against those who seek to harm the interests of Indian consumers and farmers in an unscrupulous manner.

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AD/NS