60,000 MT Rabi pulses procured from farmers for buffer stock

About 13,000 MT imported pulses have reached the country and delivery of about 6,000 MT pulses in pipeline. Arrived quantity includes 11,000MT Tur and 2,000MT Urad. Besides contracted import of 38,500 MT pulses, the Government agencies have procured 51,000 MT Kharif and 60,000 MT Rabi pulses so far.

This was informed during the inter-ministerial committee meeting held to review prices of essential commodities here today. The meeting was chaired by Secretary Consumer Affairs, Shri Hem Pande.

The State Governments have been urged repeatedly to seek allocation of pulses from the buffer stock to sell at reasonable prices which should not be more than Rs. 120 /kg. The Tamil Nadu, Andhra, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Telangana have been allocated some quantity on receiving their requests. Tamil Nadu, Andhra and Telangana are reportedly further subsidizing the prices for the benefit of consumers.

In Delhi, Kendriya Bhandar and Safal have been allocated pulses to sell through their outlets. So far 635.31 quintals Tur and 245 quintals Urad have been sold by these agencies at Rs 120/kg.

The committee was informed that the FCI has about 32 million tonne of wheat in its stock against the PDS requirement of about 24 million tonne. The Government has already sanctioned about 6.25 million tonne of wheat for open market sale operations during the current financial year.

Regarding onions, as market intervention efforts, NAFED and SFAC have procured 15,635 MT onions so far.