PSUs Make Contract Import of Over 5.33 Lakh Tonne Pulses.

New Delhi, (PTI) The government agencies have made contracts to import over 5.33 lakh tonne of pulses so far in the current financial year to improve their domestic availability, Parliament was informed today.

The contracts were made by designated agencies -- PEC, MMTC, NAFED, STC and NCCF, Minister of State of Agriculture K V Thomas said in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.

The minister said that government has permitted import of pulses under zero duty to improve domestic availability of pulses.

The imports were contracted from Myanmar, Australia, USA, Canada, Kenya, Tanzania, Singapore and Mozambique, he said quoting sources in PSUs/Cooperatives.

In addition to these public agencies, pulses are also imported by private traders.

India''s total pulses'' import in 2009-10 was 3.4 million tonnes. Out of this, share of PSUs was 20 per cent.

The minister said that these agencies have not imported any oilseeds so far during the current financial year.

Thomas said the government encourages import of pulses under two schemes.

The first one is scheme for import of pulses by PSUs against reimbursement of losses up to 15 per cent of landed cost and service charge of 1.2 per cent of CIF value.

Another is supply of imported pulses by PSUs to state governments for distribution through PDS at the rate of one kg per family per month at a subsidy of Rs 10 per kg.

The oilseeds are charged to basic customs duty ranging from 30 per cent to 70 per cent.

Source : news.in.msn.com