Lok Sabha Question No. 1141 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-22
Subject: Spike in Pulse Prices
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: P. C. MOHAN, P.K.SREEMATHI TEACHER, BHOLA SINGH, RAKESH SINGH, RAMESWAR TELI, MIDHUN REDDY, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, BHARATENDRA SINGH, GEETHA KOTHAPALLI, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR

## Government of India Department of Consumer Affairs

## ORIGINAL IN HINDI

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1141

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.11.2016

## SPIKE IN PULSE PRICES

1141.  SHRI  P.  C.  MOHAN:  SHRIMATI  P.K.  SREEMATHI  TEACHER:  DR.  BHOLA SINGH: SHRI RAKESH SINGH: SHRI RAMESWAR TELI: SHRI P.V. MIDHUN REDDY: SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE: KUNWAR BHARATENDRA: SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA: DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN: ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR:

## (OIH)

## Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is shortage of pulses causing spurt in their prices recently and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the action taken by the Government to address the issue including the steps taken to incentivise the pulse growing farmers, if any;
- (b) whether the Government plans to import pulses to increase supply, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has modified the legal methodology/rules enabling Government to fix retail prices and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  also  proposed  action  against  retailers  who  violated packaged commodities rules, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government had urged the States to consider a pricing policy for pulses and such other essential food items and make it enforceable for all stakeholders to cap the prices of essential commodities and if so, the response of the State Governments thereto?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h ¼Jh lh- vkj- pkS/kjh½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a)  : The production of pulses including Chana declined for two consecutive year i.e. 201415 and  2015-16 due to drought in successive years and adverse weather conditions putting some  pressure  on  prices  of  select  pulses.  To  moderate  the  prices  of  Chana/Chana  dal, Government  has  released  subisidzed  Chana  from  buffer  stock  to  States/UTs  and  Central Agencies. In addition, Chana from buffer stock is also being  released through auction. For incentivizing  the  pulse  growing  farmes,  MSP  of  pulses  have  been  regularly  increased  and other measures for enhancing domestic production of pulses including enhancing productivity and  crop  area  under  pulses  through  various  schemes  and  promotion  of  Research  & Development for evolving better varieties.
- (b) : The  Government  has  approved  creation  of  buffer  stock  of  upto  20  lakh  tonnes  of pulses, of which upto 10 lakh tones may be imported. Import of 4,06,000 MT of pulses have been contracted till date towards building the buffer.
- (c) & (d) : Yes, Madam. In the interest of consumers, a provisions has been made under the Legal Metrology (LM) (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 i.e. Rule 6 (1(e)) enabling fixation of retail sale prices of essential commodities by competent authority. For violation of the LM (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 action may be taken as per the Rules.
- (e) : No, Madam. However, under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, enabling provisions for fixing the retail sale prices of essential commodities already exist.

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