Prices of pulses & sugar will be under control, assures Paswan

The minister said that adequate measures have been taken to avoid further surge in the price

The government has assured today that it will not let prices of pulses and sugar to move northwards. The Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Ministry stated that efforts have been stepped up to keep prices under check.

Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has stated that adequate measures have been taken to avoid further surge in the price.

"We are aware of reports that prices of pulses are shooting up again. Be assured that we are taking all possible steps and will not let prices to go up as adequate measures have been taken to contain prices," he told reporters on the sidelines of a consultation meeting of eastern region states.

Detailing the measures taken to control the price surge, Paswan said the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has created a buffer stock of 50,000 tonnes of pulses and ordered import of another 25,000 tonnes to meet the domestic demand. In addition, one lakh tonne pulses will be procured from farmers this season, he added.

Referring to rise in prices last year, he said hoarders were responsible for creating shortage. "This time lessons have been learnt. No price rise will be allowed to take place as adequate buffer stock will be maintained in addition to the produce available in the market at any given time."

The ministry has written to the states to inquire about their demand for pulses, but none has reported specific requirement. "We have appealed to the states to come forward with their demand. Along with that, they also need to act hard against the hoarders," said C Viswanathan, secretary, MoCA.

On the surge in sugar prices recently, the union minister assured that there will be no further increase as the ministry has already issued a notification regarding stock limits on Wednesday.

"There is an abundant availability of sugar in the country.To save the sugar industry, which was on the brink of bankruptcy due to falling prices, we had to take some measures. The present rate reflected a fair value of the commodity against cost of production", said Paswan.

The government had increased import duty on sugar to 40 per cent against 15 per cent earlier and allowed export of the sugar to save the sugar industry in the country, which was reeling under debt and farmer dues.