Lok Sabha Question No. 3351 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-06
Subject: Procurement of Pulses
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Y. S. AVINASH REDDY, SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI

## Government of India Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

## Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3351

TO BE ANSWERED ON 6.1 2. 2016

## PROCUREMENT OF PULSES

3351. SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY:

SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARSWATI:

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

- (a) whetherit is a fact that the Government has commenced the procurement of pulses from already at Minimum Support Price, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has received any proposals for enhancing MSP for pulses and the Governm ent has taken any decision to hike the MSP for any of the pulses, if so, thereof, if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether it has come to the notice of the Government that farmers are compelled t produce including pulses specially "moong" below MSP in the current season, if so, the f thereof and corrective steps taken by the Union Government in this regard;
- (d) whether the Union Government has decided to make a buffer stock of pulses in the cou
- (e) if so, the detail s thereof and other steps taken to control prices of pulses in the count

## ANSWER

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

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

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- (a): Government has procured around one lakh tonnes of Moong at Minimum Support Price (M on 01.12.2016 for building the buffer stock of pulses.
- (b): The Government has increased the  MSP for Kharif and Rabi pulses during 2016 - 17 as can be seen from the Table below: -
- (c): The Government has directed the procuring agencies to undertake aggressive procureme Moong at MSP so that farmers are not compelled to sell Moong below MSP in the current season.
- (d & e): Yes, Madam. The Government has approved creation of buffer stock of upto 20 lakh pulses. The other steps taken by the Government to moderate the prices of pulses in the Annexure .

| Statement showing Minimum Support Prices including Bonus Fixed by Government for ₹/qtl)   | Statement showing Minimum Support Prices including Bonus Fixed by Government for ₹/qtl)   | Statement showing Minimum Support Prices including Bonus Fixed by Government for ₹/qtl)   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Pulses                                                                                    | 2015- 16                                                                                  | 2016- 17                                                                                  |
| Tur                                                                                       | 4625                                                                                      | 5050                                                                                      |
| Moong                                                                                     | 4850                                                                                      | 5225                                                                                      |
| Urad                                                                                      | 4625                                                                                      | 5000                                                                                      |
| Gram                                                                                      | 3500                                                                                      | 4000                                                                                      |
| Masur                                                                                     | 3400                                                                                      | 3950                                                                                      |
| Source: Department of Agriculture & Cooperation                                           | Source: Department of Agriculture & Cooperation                                           | Source: Department of Agriculture & Cooperation                                           |

## STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO PART (d) & (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3351 FOR 06.12.2016 REGARDING PROCUREMENT OF PULSES

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## ANNEXURE

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## Other steps taken by the Government to control prices of pulses in the country

- I. Export of all pulses is banned except kabuli channa and up to 10,000 MTs in organic lentils.
- II. Import of pulses are allowed at zero import duty.
- III. Stock limit on pulses extended till 30.9.2017.
- IV. MSP raised for kharif pulses of 2016 - 17 for Tur, Urad and Moong as well as for Rabi pulses Gram and Masoor for season 2016 - 17.
- V. Government has released around 48,660.285 MT of pulses from the buffer stock to the States or through  Central  Agencies at  subsidized  rates  for  retailing  at  reasonable  rates  to availability and stabilize prices.
- VI. Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has banned new contracts in Chana to speculative activities in Chana and in respect of running contracts in Chana disallowed fresh positions to reduce speculative activities.
- VII. Strict vigilance by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence to prevent importers from m - using the facilities of Customs Bonded Warehouse f acility.
- VIII. Setting  up  of  a  Group  of  Officers  for  regular  monitoring  and  exchange  of  infor hoarding, cartelization etc.
- IX. About 1.40 lakh tonnes pf pulses seized from 14612 raids and disposed of 1.28 la either by auction or other means permitt ed under EC Act, 1955.

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