Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan took a critical review of the supply side of pulses here with representatives of pulses importers, senior official of relative ministries and enforcement agencies.
There was a silent acceptance by the representatives from various associations of pulses trade that the unprecedented price of pulses last year was due to speculation and hoarding. The availability of pulses by September-end last year and this year is almost equal taking domestic production and imports.
Paswan remarked that given the net deficit scenario in the demand-supply of pulses in the country, there is a need for the importers of pulses to be more transparent in their operations. There is a need for Government and the traders to work closely so that the traders get to know the realistic gap in the supplies of various pulses. This would enable the traders for planning imports in advance.
The representatives from IGPA assured the Government for providing the data regarding imports in advance. A decision was taken for meeting on a monthly basis between the Government and traders.
Paswan told the traders that for augmenting the supplies, Government has also entered into G2G long term contracts with other countries. One such MoU has been recently executed between India and Mozambique. He explained that the role of Government of India is that of a facilitator. In fact this move of Government has opened a window for the private traders to expand their operations to foreign lands with more surety and stability. The traders were requested to extend all support for successful execution of G2G contracts. African countries like South Africa, Tanzania have shown interest in entering into G2G contracts.
The traders pointed out that there is a need for exchanging the production estimates of Agriculture Ministry and that of the traders. The Government estimates and trade estimates need to be compared and more correct figures be arrived at.
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