Centre approves stock limits on tur and urad dal in Tamil Nadu

11 November 2026 · English Tamil Nadu

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Topics: Tamil Nadu Administration · UPSC Prelims · TNPSC · SSC · Current Affairs

Current affairs of 11 November 2026 (Shanmugam IAS Academy) – explained for UPSC, TNPSC and other competitive exams

News

To curb rising pulse prices and stop traders from hoarding to create artificial shortages, the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs has approved Tamil Nadu's request to impose stock limits on just two pulses – tur (pigeon pea) and urad (black gram) (reported 10–11 November 2026). Wholesalers may hold up to 200 tonnes of each, and retailers and big retail chains up to 5 tonnes. Mills may hold the higher of their average processing capacity of the last three months or 25% of annual capacity; importers may not hold stocks beyond 45 days after the cargo reaches India. Tamil Nadu's retail inflation in September was 6.81% (the highest among States) and food inflation 10.62%. Tur dal, ₹134.23 a kg in September, is now about ₹153. The State's request for limits on rice and edible oil has not yet been approved, and the Centre said onion limits were not needed as prices are falling.

Key facts for the exam

Background

• Law: Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 empowers the Union to control the production, supply, distribution, stocking and trade of essential commodities; part of this power is delegated to States through orders. The 2020 amendment, which allowed stock limits on farm foodstuffs only in situations such as an extraordinary price rise, was undone in 2021 along with the farm laws. Its predecessor was the Essential Supplies (Temporary Powers) Act, 1946.
• Constitution: 'Trade and commerce in, and production, supply and distribution of, foodstuffs' is Entry 33 of the Concurrent List, so both the Union and the States can legislate. The Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF), which keeps a buffer stock of pulses, began in 2015 under the Agriculture Department with ₹500 crore and has been run by the Department of Consumer Affairs since 1 April 2016.
• Economy and agriculture: India is the world's largest producer and consumer of pulses, yet imports tur, urad and others. Tur (Cajanus cajan) is a long-duration kharif crop; Rhizobium bacteria in the root nodules of pulses fix atmospheric nitrogen and enrich the soil. The 'Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses' (2025-26 to 2030-31, ₹11,440 crore), approved by the Union Cabinet on 1 October 2025, assures 100% procurement of tur, urad and masoor through NAFED and NCCF; the target is 350 lakh tonnes of output by 2030-31.

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Sources: Daily Thanthi; Maalaimalar; IANS via Social News XYZ; The Tribune; Arthapedia (Indian Economic Service); India Code (Essential Commodities Act, 1955); Farm Laws Repeal Act, 2021; TNCSC (Special PDS); TNAU Agritech (Cauvery delta cropping). Compiled by Shanmugam IAS Academy.

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