Govt permits PEC Ltd to export pulses to Maldives till 2016-17

NEW DELHI: Government run trading firm PEC Ltd has been authorised to export about 291 tonnes of pulses to Maldives till 2016-17, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade ( DGFT) has said.

Although exports of pulses are banned, Indian government ships the commodity to the neighbouring country on diplomatic grounds.

"Export of pulses to Republic of Maldives would be permitted through PEC Ltd," the DGFT said.

Last month in a notification, it had permitted export of pulses to Maldives for 2014-15 to 2016-17.

For 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17, the government has allowed exports of 87.85 tonnes, 96.63 tonnes and 106.29 tonnes respectively to Maldives.

The government had banned exports of pulses exports in June 2006 to augment the domestic supply and check prices.

India is the largest consumer of the foodgrain. The country imports pulses to meet the domestic production shortfall of 3-4 million tonnes.

As per the government estimate, the country is expected to produce 19.8 million tonnes (MT) of pulses this year, which includes 9.8 MT of chana crop, while trade figures says only 6.5 MT of chana crop this year.

Official figures show that India imported around 1.4 MT of pulses between April to September 2013.