The Centre revised the wheat stock limits on December 8 as increase in the prices of wheat and wheat flour (atta) remained unchanged in many parts of the country. For traders and wholesalers, the limit reduced from 2000 metric tonnes (MT) to 1,000 MT.
For retailers, the revised limit for each retail outlet is five MT. It was 10 MT so far. Big chain retailers can stock 5 MT for each of their outlets and 1,000 MT at all their depots. Earlier, it was 10 MT and 2000 MT, respectively. For processors, the new limit is 70% of monthly installed capacity multiplied by remaining months of 2023-24. It was 75% of annual installed capacity or quantity equivalent to monthly installed capacity multiplied by remaining months of 2023-24, whichever is less till this day.
The government said the decision was taken to manage the overall food security and to prevent hoarding and unscrupulous speculation. The moves has been taken under the Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs (Amendment) Order, 2023 of the Centre.
