HC seeks info on classification of pulse traders

The High Court on Tuesday directed the State government to submit details on categorisation of traders in pulses as wholesale, retail or multiple traders and the quantity of pulses they can stock as per the terms of their licence.

Justice Anand Byrareddy gave these directions while hearing a batch of petitions filed by various wholesale and retail traders of pulses who have questioned government notification on stocking excess pulses.

The petitioners have contended that the State government had issued a notification dated October 17, 2015, under the Karnataka Essential Commodities Licensing Order, 1986, by including “pulses, edible oil and edible oil seeds” in the scheduled category. The notification prescribed the quantity of retail and wholesale commodity that can be stocked in warehouses. It was followed by another order dated October 19, 2015, for seizure if the commodities were stocked in excess. The petitioners stated that the maximum quantity of pulses that can be stocked is 500 quintals.

The bench had earlier directed the authorities to release the pulses, stocked well within the prescribed quantity, and asked the State not to sell excess quantity seized from the petitioners till the disposal of the petition. Since the authorities are all set to auction the seized commodity, the petitioners had approached court.