Overview

• Effective until March 31, 2026, the order covers traders, retailers, big-chain retailers and processors to deter hoarding, with officials noting 2024–25 output of 1,175.07 lakh tonnes and 300.35 lakh tonnes procured.
• Caps for traders and wholesalers are reduced to 2,000 tonnes from the previous 3,000 tonnes.
• Retail outlets and big-chain stores are limited to 8 tonnes per outlet, with chains restricted to a combined maximum equal to 8 multiplied by the number of outlets across outlets and depots.
• Processors may hold up to 60% of monthly installed capacity multiplied by the remaining months of FY2025-26, down from 70%.
• All holders must update stocks every Friday on the government portal, cut excess within 15 days, and face enforcement under Sections 6 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act with central and state monitoring.