The government has cut the stock holding limit for sugar dealers by half, bringing it down to 2,000 quintals from September 15 through November 30, in an effort to maintain steady supply and stable prices during the peak festive period.
According to a statement issued by the consumer affairs, food and public distribution ministry on Tuesday, this step is intended to further clamp down on hoarding, discourage speculative trading, and prevent dealers from stockpiling excessive amounts of sugar. This move revises the earlier limit of 4,000 quintals, which had been in effect since August 1.
Under the new stock limit orders, sugar dealers nationwide will not be permitted to hold more than 2,000 quintals at any given time. That said, the government has carved out an exemption for Kolkata and its surrounding metropolitan region, taking into account the area’s distinct market conditions.
