The government today decided to import 1.5 million tonne of pulses in the next six to eight months to bring down prices and augment domestic supplies."The cabinet committee of economic affairs (CCEA) today gave its approval to the import of 1.5 MMT pulses through public sector agencies to stabilise the prices in the market," Minister of Information and Broadcasting Priyanranjan Dasmunsi told reporters after the meeting. The government has asked the public sector agencies National Agricultural and Cooperative Marketing Federation (Nafed) , State Trading Corporation (Stc), MMTC and PEC to formulate market-wise and month-wise import plan for pulses over a period of six-eight months, the minister said.The imports will include 0.75 million tonne of urad, gram, masur moong and tur. In addition, the government has decided to import 0.75 million tonne yellow peas and other pulses, Dasmunsi added. He said the public sector agencies concerned would also qualify for subsidy not exceeding 15% without benchmarking lowest level of loss. "Prices of essential commodities like edible oil, etc were discussed in the meeting. However, the decision was taken only on pulses import," Dasmunsi said. The CCEA has also permitted export of 330 tonne skimmed milk powder (SMP) to Nepal though the ban on general SMP export continues.According to government estimates, pulses output in the current year is 14.1 million tonne, marginally higher than last year's 13.4 million tonne but down from the target 15.1 million tonne. The government had announced nil duty on pulses import in June 2006, which is valid till March 2008. Prices of pulses have almost doubled since last year on lower output in both domestic and global markets.
