Govt to import additional 90,000 MT pulses to bring down prices

The Government on Friday ordered further import of 90,000 MT (metric tonne) of pulses, consisting of 40,000 MT Masur, 20,000 MT Tur, 20,000 Desi Chana, and 10,000 MT Urad for the buffer stock.

The decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of Price Stabilisation Fund chaired by Union Consumer Affairs Secretary, Hem Pande here on Friday. With this order, the total import of pulses for the buffer stock now stands at 1.76 lakh MT. Domestic procurement of pulses has also reached 1.20 lakh MT as of August 23,2016.

The government agencies have also been directed to gear up for domestic procurement for the coming crop of pulses, which is expected to good this year.

The meeting reviewed the procurement and distribution of pulses from buffer stock. So far about 40,000 MT have been allocated to the states, the buffer stock for distribution not more than Rs 120 per kg. These pulses are provided to the states include Tur at the rate of Rs 67 per kg and Urad at the rate of Rs 82 per kg.

The Inter Ministerial Committee on prices of essential commodities also met on Friday to review the availability and prices of essential commodities.

The meeting observed that prices of pulses have come down but have not reflected in retail.

It was of the opinion that states must be asked to take immediate action under Essential Commodes Act to ensure that decline in prices id also reflected in retail also.

The meeting was attended by senior officials of Ministry/Department of Agriculture, Food, Commerce, Revenue, MMTC, NAFED etc.

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