No respite from price rise, government to import 3,000 tonnes of pulses

NEW DELHI: With pulses soaring to as high as Rs 200 per kg mark in the retail markets, the government today decided to further import 2,000 tonnes of tur dal and 1,000 tonnes of urad dal, for which the tender will be floated by MMTC on an immediate basis.

The decision in this regard was taken at a meeting chaired by the Cabinet Secretary and attended by agriculture, consumer affairs and commerce secretaries as well as all state chief secretaries.

The Cabinet Secretary also directed that all the 400 outlets of Kendriya Bhandar and Safal in Delhi should start distributing imported tur dal immediately.

Over 100 Kendriya Bhandar and Safal outlets have already commenced distribution of imported tur dal in Delhi at Rs 120 per kg.

"It was decided that the government would further import 2,000 tonnes of tur dal and 1,000 tonnes of urad dal and tender will be floated by MMTC immediately," the Food Ministry said in a statement.

The state-owned MMTC has already imported 5,000 tonnes of tur dal and floated revised tenders for import of 2,000 tonnes of chickpeas.

The Cabinet Secretary also reviewed the position regarding the production, procurement, availability and prices of pulses.

He also specifically brought to the notice the amendment issued by the government to enable states to impose a limit on stocks sourced from imports, held by exporters, large food processing units as well as large departmental retailers.

The Cabinet Secretary informed the state governments of the decision to create a buffer stock of pulses through procurement and directed that all state governments should be ready with their preparatory work for procurement in the ensuing khariff season starting November 2015.

The states were exhorted to carry out surprise inspections and raids to prevent hoarding and black-marketing of pulses. He also reviewed the requirement and lifting of imported pulses by state governments, the statement added.