Govt to import more 90,000 MT pulses for buffer stock

The Dollar Business Bureau 

The Central government has ordered to further import 90,000 MT of pulses for buffer stock. It includes 40,000 MT of Masur dal, 20,000 MT of Tur dal, 20,000 MT of Desi Chana dal and 10,000 MT of Urad dal. This decision was taken at a Price Stabilization Fund meeting headed by the Union Consumer Affairs Secretary Hem Pande in New Delhi on Friday. 

With this, the overall import of pulses stood at 1,76,000 MT for buffer stock. The procurement of pulses within the country has reached 1,20,000 MT as on Tuesday. The government agencies have also been directed to procure from the domestic markets for the next crop of pulses as good monsoon is expected this year, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said in a statement. 

The Price Stabilization Fund meeting reviewed the procurement as well as the distribution of pulses from the buffer stock. More than 40,000 MT have been allocated to various states. The distribution of pulses from the buffer stock to the States is provided at the rate of Rs. 67 per kg for Tur dal and Rs. 82 per kg for Urad dal, the statement said. 

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on prices of essential commodities had also participated in the meeting to review the availability and prices of the pulses. It observed that the rates of pulses have decreased but these are not reflected in retail stores. It has opined that the states must be directed to take action immediately under the Essential Commodes Act to make sure that the prices are reduced in retail markets as well. 

The senior officials from the Ministries and Departments of Agriculture, Food, Commerce and Revenue, along with the officials of National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) have attended the Price Stabilization Fund meeting on Friday.