**Executive Summary**
This document is a republication of the Government of India's Order regarding the Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits, and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs, originally dated September 29, 2016. It comes into effect on October 1, 2016. This order is applicable in Tamil Nadu, impacting dealers, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers of various foodstuffs. The order lifts restrictions on certain commodities with the exception of some restrictions until September 30, 2017, and November 21/October 28, 2016.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Order Details:**
* Title: Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs Order, 2016.
* Effective Date: October 1, 2016.
* Supersedes: Removal of (Licensing requirements, Stock limits and Movement Restrictions) on specified Foodstuffs Order, 2002.
* **Removal of Restrictions:**
* Dealers can freely buy, stock, sell, transport, distribute, dispose, acquire, use, or consume any quantity of wheat, wheat products (maida, rava, suji, atta, resultant atta and bran) paddy, rice, coarsegrains, sugar, gur, edible oilseeds, edible oils, pulses, hydrogenated vegetable oils or vanaspati, onions and potato without requiring a permit or license.
* **Exceptions and Time Limits:**
* Restrictions on pulses are extended up to September 30, 2017.
* Restrictions on sugar are extended up to November 21, 2016, specifically in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry, and until October 28, 2016, in other states and union territories.
* Restrictions on edible oils and edible oilseeds are extended up to September 30, 2017, for stock limit calculations, with exceptions for exporters, retailers with multiple outlets, and processors using these as raw materials.
* **Additional Notes:**
* Central or State Governments can direct importers to declare edible oil and oilseed stock receipts.
* The order does not affect transport, distribution, or disposal of sugar, edible oils and edible oilseeds to places outside the State.
* The order prevails over any conflicting State Government orders issued under delegated powers.
* Prior approval from the Central Government is required for any State Government order regulating the specified commodities by licenses or permits.
* The order does not affect the Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2001, or orders for levy from millers or traders of paddy or rice for procurement.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Dealers of specified foodstuffs
**Impact:** Can freely engage in activities (buy, stock, sell, transport, etc.) regarding specified foodstuffs without licensing requirements, subject to the specified exceptions.
**Action Required:** Monitor time limits on exceptions, ensure compliance with declaration requirements if directed by the Central or State Government (for importers).
**Stakeholder:** Consumers of specified foodstuffs
**Impact:** Increased availability of goods, potentially affecting prices.
**Action Required:** No specific action required.
**Stakeholder:** State Government
**Impact:** Limited authority to regulate the specified commodities without prior approval from the Central Government. Must ensure compliance with the Public Distribution System and rice procurement orders.
**Action Required:** Obtain prior approval from the Central Government before issuing orders regulating storage, transport, distribution, disposal, acquisition, use, or consumption of the specified commodities.
**Stakeholder:** Exporters of edible oils and oilseeds
**Impact:** Exemption from stock limit restrictions if they can demonstrate their stock is meant for export.
**Action Required:** Be able to demonstrate that their whole or part of their stock in respect of edible oils and edible oilseeds are meant for exports, to the extent of the stock meant for export.
Key Entities Referenced
Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs Order, 2016: Order removing licensing requirements and stock limits on specified foodstuffs in Tamil Nadu, based on central government order
Essential Commodities Act, 1955: The central law under which the order is issued.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution: The central government ministry responsible for the order.
Tamil Nadu: The state where the order is applicable.