The Central Government has issued an order imposing stock limits on wheat for all States and Union Territories until March 31, 2026. This amendment aims to manage wheat availability and preventing hoarding.
The Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs (Amendment) Order, 2025, which came into force with immediate effect on May 27, 2025, amends the 2016 order to include specific stock limits for wheat.
Prescribed Stock Limits for Wheat
The order specifies the following stock limits for different categories of entities:
- Traders/Wholesaler: 3000 Metric Tonnes (MT)
- Retailer: 10 MT for each retail outlet.
- Big Chain Retailer: Up to 10 MT for each retail outlet, with a maximum total stock limit of (10 MT multiplied by the total number of outlets) across all their retail outlets and depots combined.
- Processors: 70% of their Monthly Installed Capacity (MIC) multiplied by the remaining months of the Financial Year 2025-26.
Declaration and Compliance
The order mandates that all respective legal entities must declare their wheat stock position on the portal of the Department of Food and Public Distribution. Initially, this declaration is to be made on https://evegoils.nic.in/wsp/login, which will be migrated to https://foodstock.dfpd.gov.in in due course.
Entities holding wheat stocks exceeding the prescribed limits are required to bring their stock levels by May 11, 2025.
Regular Stock Updates
The order emphasizes the importance of regularly declaring and updating wheat stock information on the designated portal. This measure is likely intended to provide the government with real-time data on wheat availability across the country, facilitating better supply chain management and market intervention if necessary.
