Govt to crack the whip on pepper, cardamom futures volatility: KV Thomas

22 Jan 2013 Evaluate

The commodities like pepper and cardamom have been witnessing mixed trend in the futures exchange and traders have alleged that a cartel is behind the price surge. Previous year, a panel was set to look into the volatility of rubber prices and it opposed any control on price movement.

The Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution K V Thomas said that government will set up two separate committees to look into various issues connected with the futures trading in pepper and cardamom. As per the recent issues connected with pepper futures trade, Thomas said that the government would go for a second opinion in consultation with the forward markets commission (FMC) on adulterated pepper.

There were allegations of adulterated mineral oil coated black pepper being stored in NCDEX warehouses and the Commissioner of Food Safety, Kerala took samples for examination. The government is aware of the problems of adulterated pepper in futures and would take appropriate action to help stakeholders to get a better price. The government is also in the process of finding out a mechanism to ensure the quality of commodities in futures.

According to the Minister, the government has taken a stand that the functioning of the futures market will be fair and transparent. Ramesh Abhishek, Chairman, FMC, said that the functioning of cartels in futures market has become a threat. The government does not want the futures market to be controlled by few cartels in the country. There is a need to strengthen the functioning of the market by bringing about changes in the trading platform, adding that the FMC Bill would be tabled in parliament to give more strength to the Commission. The chief minister of Kerala said that the futures trading should take place in transparent and fair manner which was beneficial to all stakeholders.

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