The production of pulses could rise by 18% to 20 million tonnes (MT) this crop year on account of better monsoon which in turn would help bring down retail prices. The centre is creating a buffer stock to make intervention in the market and sell pulses at reasonable rates.
Pulses output declined to 17.15 MT in the 2014-15 crop year, from 19 MT in the previous year, due to drought. In 2015-16, pulses output further dipped to 17.06 MT on poor monsoon. The annual domestic demand is pegged at 23.5 MT.
Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan stated that the Centre is committed to control retail prices of pulses and has taken several steps to boost domestic supply and curb rising rates. The minister however felt sorry that states are not taking enough measures and asked them to take equal responsibility. He said state government should lift pulses from the central buffer stock for retail distribution at a rate not exceeding Rs 120 per kg.