Government to import 10,000 tonnes of pulses for buffer stock

The high-level committee meeting chaired by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha, that reviewed prices of pulses and other essential commodities, has decided  to import 10,000 tonnes of pulses for buffer stock and extend zero import duty on chickpeas and masoor till September 2016. The duties on other pulses have already been extended up to September next year. The above step has been taken in order to boost local supply and check prices.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) earlier this week had approved creation of a buffer stock of pulses by procuring 1.5 lakh tonnes at market price and the stock would be used to check spurts in retail rates.

The government will soon float tenders for 5,000 tonnes each of tur and urad dals. The Cabinet Secretary has asked agencies like FCI, NAFED and SFAC to step up procurement of tur and urad dals to build the buffer stock.