Procurement of rabi pulses reaches 68,000 tonnes, will help keep prices under check

NEW DELHI: State-run agencies have procured 1.19 lakh tonnes of pulses so far, in addition to import of 14,321 tonnes, and more are in the pipeline to keep the prices and supplies of these protein-rich dried seeds steady, the government said on Tuesday.

The agencies have procured 68,000 tonnes of rabi pulses and 51,000 tonnes of kharif so far for buffer stock, the government said in a news release after an interministerial committee meeting held to review prices of essential commodities. The meeting was chaired by consumer affairs secretary Hem Pande.

The government plans to import 46,000 tonnes of pulses in all in the current season.

In Delhi, at outlets of Kendriya Bhandar and Mother Dairy’s Safal store, 1,058 quintals of tur and 345 quintals of urad have been sold at Rs 120 per kg, the release said.

Pande reviewed lifting and distribution of the pulses allocated from the buffer stock to the states.“It was decided that the states will be requested again to expedite lifting of pulses – tur and urad -- for distribution at Rs 120 a kg,” the release said.