Government to import further 90,000 tonnes pulses for buffer stock

The government on has ordered further import of 90,000 tonnes of pulses, consisting of 40,000 tonnes of masur, 20,000 tonnes of tur, 20,000 tonnes of chana and 10,000 tonnes of urad for the buffer stock.

The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Price Stabilisation Fund chaired by union consumer affairs secretary Hem Pande on Friday.

With this order, the total import of pulses for buffer stock now stands at 1,76,000 tonnes.

Meanwhile, domestic procurement of pulses has reached 1,20,000 tonnes as of 23 August 2016. Government procurement agencies have also been directed to gear up for procurement of the coming crop of pulses, which is expected to be good this year.

The meeting reviewed the procurement and distribution of pulses from buffer stocks. The centre has so far allocated about 40,000 tonnes of the buffer stock to states for distribution at not more than Rs120 per kg.

These pulses are provided to the states – tur at the rate of Rs67 per kg and urad at the rate of Rs82 per kg.

The inter ministerial committee on prices of essential commodities also met on Friday to review 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 the ministry and the departments of agriculture, food, commerce, revenue as also agencies like MMTC, NAFED etc.

Meanwhile, the area under pulses in the country has increased to 13.94 million hectares from 10.39 million hectares in the previous crop season.

The total sown area for all crops as of 26 August 2016 in the country stands at 101.91 million hectares, compared to 97.34 million hectares at this time last year, as per estimates released by states.