The Government has amended the Central Order under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 with immediate effect to increase availability and to prevent hoarding of pulses. <br/><br/>It will enable imposition of stock limits on pulses sourced from imports, stocks held by exporters, stocks to be used as raw-materials by licensed food processors and stocks of Large Departmental Retailers. <br/><br/>The Centre has taken several measures for increasing the availability of pulses by banning export of pulses, extension of zero import duty on pulses and also import of 5000 tonnes of pulses from Price Stabilization Fund. <br/><br/>To increase production of pulses, the minimum support price for Urad and Arhar dal have been increased to 4625 rupees per quintal and for Moong dal to 4850 rupees per quintal.