Except for 2 varieties, ban on pulses exports to continue.

New Delhi, Mar 27 (PTI) The government today extended the ban on export of pulses by one more year but allowed outbound shipments of kabuli chana and organic pulses and lentils with some riders. Exports of pulses were initially prohibited for a period of six months in 2006 which has since been extended from time to time. The last extension is expire on March 31, 2012.

"Now, the prohibition on export of pulses is being extended up to March end 2013," a notification of Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said. DGFT, under Union ministry of Commerce and Industries, fixed a ceiling of 10,000 tonnes per annum for export of the two varieties and subject to certain conditions. About allowing export of the two varieties, it said it should be duly certified by APEDA as being organic pulses and lentils.

The Agricultural and Processed Food products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is an export promotion organisation under the Ministry of Commerce. Export contracts should be registered with APEDA, New Delhi, prior to shipment, the notification said, adding exports shall be allowed only from Customs EDI Ports.

India depends on the import of pulses to meet the domestic production shortfall of 3-4 million tonnes. According to second Advance Estimates of the government, production of pulses in 2011-12 is expected to the tune of 17.28 million tonnes against 18.24 million tonnes in 2010-11.

Source : ibnlive.in.com