The Centre on Sunday imposed stock limits on imported pulses, exporters’ stocks, and reserves with departmental stores as well as with food processors.

The move, to prevent hoarding, follows the spiralling of prices of all the pulses over the past two weeks on short supplies.

“In its earlier order extending the imposition of stock limits on pulses, edible oils and edible oilseeds for one year up to September 30, 2016, the government had granted exemption to four categories of stocks, that is, stocks sourced from imports, held by exporters, by licensed food processors and large departmental retailers.

“The government has now withdrawn exemptions to stocks of pulses held by these four categories,” an official statement clarified.

The Centre had earlier announced a ban on pulses exports, extension of zero import duty, and a further purchase of 5,000 tonnes from overseas markets under the price stabilisation fund. It also aims to create a 40,000-tonne buffer-stock from the new arhar (tur) and urad crops, which will hit the market between November and early-January.

“All these measures are likely to increase the availability of pulses and cool prices,” the statement added.

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