New Delhi: Data on year-wise consumption of pulses is not compiled by the Government. However, in the Report of the Working Group on ‘Foodgrains-Balancing Demand and Supply’ for the 12th Five Year Plan, the estimated demand of pulses in the year 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 are 22.68 MMT, 23.62 MMT and 24.61 MMT respectively. steps taken by the Government to reduce the prices of pulses are given below.
- Export of all pulses is banned except kabuli channa and up to 10,000 MTs in organic pulses and lentils.
- Import of pulses are allowed at zero import duty.
- Stock limit on pulses extended till 30.9.2017.
- MSP raised for kharif pulses of 2016-17 for Tur, Urad and Moong as well as for Rabi pulses of Gram and Masoor for season 2016-17.
- Government has approved creation of buffer stock of pulses for effective market intervention. Buffer of around 6.18 lakh MT of pulses has already been procured out of the target of 20 lakh tonnes.
- Government has released around 38,974 MT of pulses from the buffer stock (consisting of Tur and Urad) to States/UTs at subsidized rates for retailing by them at not more than Rs 120/- per kg to improve availability and stabilize prices. In addition, 6884 MT of Chana has been allocated to states at subsidized rate for retailing.
- Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has banned new contracts in Chana to dampen speculative activities in Chana and in respect of running contracts in Chana disallowed taking fresh positions to reduce speculative activities.
- Strict vigilance by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence to prevent importers from mis-using the facilities of Customs Bonded Warehouse facility.
- Setting up of a Group of Officers for regular monitoring and exchange of information on hoarding, cartelization etc.
- About 1.40 lakh tonnes pf pulses seized from 14612 raids and disposed of 1.28 lakh tonnes either by auction or other means permitted under EC Act, 1955.
This information was given by The Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri C.R Chaudhary while replying to a written in Lok Sabha today
