MMTC to sell 1,500 tons imported masoor

NEW DELHI: State-owned trading firm MMTC on Friday said it plans to sell 1,500 tons of imported masoor in the domestic market.

The company's tender for sale of the Canadian masoor came a few days after public sector firms STC and PEC invited bids from domestic traders to sell 14,000 tons of imported pulses.

MMTC said the last date for closing of the bids is August 29 and it would take a decision on the tender within two days of opening of quotations.

Traders said the move by PSUs to sell imported pulses before the festival season would have stabilising effect on the prices of the commodities.

Ruling out softening in the rates, Pulses Importers Association President K C Bhartiya had said the sale of imported pulses would at best stabilise the prices.

The government had announced in April to import of 15 lakh tons of pulses through four government agencies - STC, MMTC, PEC and Nafed - to stabilise prices in the domestic market by augmenting supply. It also decided to give 15 per cent subsidies to these agencies on their pulses imports.

Government agencies till July have contracted to import 10.40 lakh tons of pulses, of which 2.43 lakh tons have already reached in the country. The imported pulses include urad, moong, dunpeas, masoor, chickpeas, yellow peas and channa.