The Government ordered further import of 90,000 MT pulses, consisting of 40,000MT Masur, 20,000 MT Tur, 20,000 Desi Chana and 10,000 MT Urad for the buffer stock. The decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of Price Stabilization Fund chaired by Union Consumer Affairs Secretary, Shri Hem Pande here today. With this order total import of pulses for buffer stock stands now 1, 76,000 MT. Domestic procurement of pulses has also to reached to 1,20,000 MT as on August 23,2016. The government agencies have been also been directed to gear up for domestic procurement for coming crop of pulses, which is expected to good this year.
The meeting reviewed the procurement and distribution of pulses from buffer stock. So far about 40,000 MT have been allocated to the States the buffer stock for distribution not more than Rs. 120/kg. These pulses are provided to the States– Tur at the rate of Rs. 67/kg and Urad at the rate of Rs. 82/kg.
Inter Ministerial Committee on prices of essential commodities also met today 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 Ministry/Department of Agriculture, Food, Commerce, Revenue, MMTC, NAFED etc