| Date: |
12-09-2015 |
| Subject: |
More arhar import to beat price rise |
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NEW DELHI: The government on Friday swung into action on the rising prices of major pulses, particularly arhar, and took a string of decisions to enhance supplies. Within hours after the Times of India report, the government decided to import another 5,000 tonnes of arhar to stem the prices which have been spiraling in the past few months.
"At a high-level meeting held here today (Friday), the government has decided to import an additional 5000 MT of tur dal (arhar) to increase the availability and control prices of pulses. Import of 10,000 MT of tur and urad dals is already in the pipeline and the first consignment will reach by September 23," an official release of consumer affairs department said.
The country's largest foreign trading company, MMTC, has been tasked to import the fresh quantity. The present imports are also being handled by this agency.
The committee headed by consumer affairs secretary C Vishwanath also directed the agencies such as MMTC, SFAC and NAFED to get in touch with state governments and also with Safal to supply imported dals through retail outlets. "The retail and wholesale prices of commodities in various markets were reviewed and medium and long term strategies to increase availability of essential commodities were discussed," a department spokesperson said.
Sources said many of the states have still not put stock limit on storing pulses despite repeated advisories from the Centre and thereby providing ample scope for traders to hoard the key food item. "The shortage is only about 20% and as usual the private players are importing pulses. Until states put deterrent stock limits, there will be little relief for consumers," a government source said.
In fact, even the quantity fixed under the stock limit by some of the states is irrational, the official said.
The consumer affairs department said in order to ensure better distribution of both the pulses and onion being imported, Vishwanath has also discussed the arrangements with state governments. "Future trading in pulses like urad and tur has already been suspended. Export of pulses has been banned and there is zero duty on their import," the department said.
Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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