Cabinet approves amendment to the Essential Commodities Act, farm produce removed from essential commodities

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved an amendment to the Essential Commodities Act to deregulate food items, including cereals and onion.

Calling the "historic" amendment to the Essential Commodities Act a "visionary step towards the transformation of agriculture and raising farmers’ income," the government said it will remove fears of private investors of excessive regulatory interference.

Farm produce like cereals, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, onion and potatoes will be removed from the list of essential commodities.