Cabinet secy chairs meet with states on pulses

Centre has also decided to expedite the import of 2,000 tonnes of tur and 1,000 tonnes of urad dal

Central ministries concerned have been asked to explore the possibility of importing moong (green gram) and masoor (red gram) dal, as well as to create a buffer stock of these, to guard against a possible spurt in their prices.

Moong dal prices have risen by Rs 10-20 a kg since May. Masoor has also hardened. Officials said the Centre had also decided to expedite the import of 2,000 tonnes of tur (pigeon pea) and 1,000 tonnes of urad dal (black gram).

These decisions were taken at a meeting on the availability and prices of pulses, chaired by the cabinet secretary, including a video conference with state chief secretaries. Arhar, another pigeon pea variety, has risen to Rs 200 a kg in some parts.

“States were exhorted to carry out surprise inspections and raids to prevent hoarding and black marketing of pulses,” it was officially stated.

It said the states were informed of the decision to create a buffer stock through procurement and asked them to be ready for doing so. The country is expected to produce 17.38 million tonnes of pulses in 2014-15 (July to June), almost 10 per cent less than in 2013-14. Production in the 2015-16 crop year is expected to be 18.32 mto. In 2014-15, about 4.6 mt was imported; this is expected to be 4.1 mt in 2015-16, mostly through private traders.