The government has imported 27.48 lakh tonnes (LT) of pulses in the April-October period this fiscal in order to meet domestic demand. As per information provided by Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs C R Chaudhary, the total imports of pulses by private sector and the government agencies stood at 27,48,473 tonnes. The country had imported 57.97 LT of pulses in the previous fiscal.
The government has approved creation of buffer stock of up to 20 LT of pulses through domestic procurement and imports. Pulses for buffer are procured at market price if the prevailing market price is above minimum support price (MSP) and at MSP if market price is below MSP.
Further, the government, through MMTC and STC, has contracted import of 4.06 LT of pulses, of which 81,985 tonnes has arrived in the country.