Lok Sabha Question No. 123 (STARRED), answered on 2015-12-08
Subject: Rise in Prices of Pulses
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI

## Government of India Department of Consumer Affairs

## ORIGINAL IN HINDI

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *123

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2015

## RISE IN PRICES OF PULSES

*123. SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI: (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 the prices of pulses have gone up for various reasons including sudden shortage in the market during the last one year and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  prevailing  retail  and  wholesale  prices  of  pulses  in  the  major  cities/markets  of  the country;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  several  State  Governments  have  seized  pulses despite prescribed stock limit having been met and pulses are being auctioned off, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether opportunity of being heard is afforded to the traders before the auction of pulses, if so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  time  by  which  they  are  likely  to  be  given  such  a hearing?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=ky; ea=h ¼Jh jke foykl ikloku½

THE MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)

(a) to (d) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*123 FOR 08.12.2015 REGARDING RISE IN PRICES OF PULSES.

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- (a) & (b) : There has been a rise in the retail prices of pulses over the year. The main reason for this  increase  in prices  is the reduced  availability  following a decline  in production of pulses from 19.25 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 17.20 million tonnes in 2014-15 on account of adverse weather conditions. In addition, factors such as rise in transportation costs, hoarding and blackmarketing have also contributed to the price rise. However, prices of pulses have started showing a declining trend due to several measures by the Government which include the following:-
- 1) Authorized States/Union Territories to impose stock limit on pulses and the same has been extended up to 30.9.2016.
- 2) Advisories  to  States/Union  Territories  issued  to  take  action  against  hoarding  &  black marketing and effectively enforce the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 & the Prevention of Black-marketing Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980.
- 3) As per the information provided by State Governments, 14134 raids have been conducted in 14 States resulting in seizure of 130606 tonnes of pulses (as on 03.12.2015) to arrest the rising prices of pulses.
- 4) Ban on export of pulses imposed with effect from June 22, 2006, except for Kabuli Chana and organic pulses & Lentils up to a maximum of 10000 tonnes a year.
- 5) Extension of zero import duty on all pulses till 30.09.2016 except for Chickpeas and Lentils which will be reviewed during December, 2015.
- 6) Import  of 5000  tonnes of  Tur  was  undertaken by the  Government  through  Price Stabilization  Fund  Scheme  of  Department  of  Agriculture,  Cooperation  and  Farmers Welfare. It was allocated to States based on requests received from State Governments.
- 7) To incentivize production, higher Minimum Support Price (MSP) has been announced for both Kharif and Rabi pulses for 2015-16. Accordingly, for Kharif season, MSP (including bonus) has been increased by Rs 275 from Rs 4350 to Rs 4625 per quintal for both Arhar and Urad, and by Rs 250 from Rs 4600 to Rs 4850 per quintal for Moong respectively. For Rabi season, the increase (including bonus) has been by Rs 325 from Rs 3175 to Rs 3500 per quintal for Gram and from Rs 3075 to Rs 3400 per quintal for Masoor respectively.

The details of price trends of the major pulses are at ANNEXURE-I .

- (c) : The Government, vide Notification No.SO 2642 (E) dated 28 th September, 2015 under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 has enabled States to impose stock limits as may be considered necessary to ensure availability of pulses at reasonable prices. Accordingly, several States have imposed stock limits on pulses. The States were also requested to undertake enforcement of stock limits. Raids have been conducted in States and stocks of pulses have been seized as per   the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The details of action taken by the States are at ANNEXURE-II .
- (d) : Yes,  Madam.  Section  6  of  this  Act  provides  for  the  procedure  to  confiscate essential commodities and to dispose the stocks so seized.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO PART (a) & (b) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*123 FOR 08.12.2015 REGARDING RISE IN PRICES OF PULSES

## A) All-India Price Trends over the year

| Major Pulses   | All-India Daily Average Retail Price (Rs/kg)   | All-India Daily Average Retail Price (Rs/kg)   | All-India Daily Average Wholesale Price (Rs/qtl)   | All-India Daily Average Wholesale Price (Rs/qtl)   |
|----------------|------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
|                | Price As On                                    | 1 Year Ago                                     | Price As On                                        | 1 Year Ago                                         |
|                | 03-12-2015                                     | 03-12-2014                                     | 03-12-2015                                         | 03-12-2014                                         |
| Chana Dal      | 69.09                                          | 45.6                                           | 6389.88                                            | 4099.68                                            |
| Tur Dal        | 150.28                                         | 75.72                                          | 14199.5                                            | 7104.02                                            |
| Urad Dal       | 142.71                                         | 75.52                                          | 13479.51                                           | 7084.45                                            |
| Moong Dal      | 108.06                                         | 95.75                                          | 9961.33                                            | 9037.83                                            |
| Masoor Dal     | 88.5                                           | 70.92                                          | 8063.02                                            | 6632.55                                            |

## B) Price Trends in the 4 Metros over the year

| Major Pulses   | Daily Retail Price (Rs/kg)   | Daily Retail Price (Rs/kg)   | Daily Wholesale Price (Rs/qtl)   | Daily Wholesale Price (Rs/qtl)   |
|----------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| Major Pulses   | Price As On                  | 1 Year Ago                   | Price As On                      | 1 Year Ago                       |
| Major Pulses   | 03-12-2015                   | 03-12-2014                   | 03-12-2015                       | 03-12-2014                       |
| 1.Chana dal    |                              |                              |                                  |                                  |
| DELHI          | 76                           | 46                           | 6100                             | 3500                             |
| MUMBAI         | 70                           | 50                           | 5650                             | 3800                             |
| KOLKATA        | 67                           | 45                           | 6200                             | 3600                             |
| CHENNAI        | 72                           | 49                           | 6100                             | 3600                             |
| 2.Tur dal      |                              |                              |                                  |                                  |
| DELHI          | 164                          | 82                           | 14600                            | 6900                             |
| MUMBAI         | 160                          | 78                           | 13750                            | 6700                             |
| KOLKATA        | 155                          | 76                           | 14400                            | 7000                             |
| CHENNAI        | 150                          | 85                           | 11000                            | 6800                             |
| 3.Urad dal     |                              |                              |                                  |                                  |
| DELHI          | 149                          | 81                           | 12600                            | 7000                             |
| MUMBAI         | 164                          | 81                           | 14850                            | 7300                             |
| KOLKATA        | 130                          | 72                           | 12200                            | 6400                             |
| CHENNAI        | 170                          | 86                           | 14500                            | 7300                             |
| 4.Moong dal    |                              |                              |                                  |                                  |
| DELHI          | 107                          | 97                           | 8900                             | 8600                             |
| MUMBAI         | 116                          | 95                           | 9750                             | 8600                             |
| KOLKATA        | 114                          | 110                          | 9800                             | 9600                             |
| CHENNAI        | 120                          | 108                          | 8300                             | 9400                             |
| 5.Masoor dal   |                              |                              |                                  |                                  |
| DELHI          | 97                           | 79                           | 7200                             | 6950                             |
| MUMBAI         | 96                           | 79                           | 7000                             | 6350                             |
| KOLKATA        | 78                           | 72                           | 7000                             | 6600                             |
| CHENNAI        | 98                           | 80                           | 7200                             | 7300                             |

Source:- State/UT Civil Supplies Deptts.

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO.*123 FOR 08.12.2015 REGARDING RISE IN PRICES OF PULSES

## Quantity seized and disposed (in MT ) as on 03.12.2015

| Sl.No.         | State        |     Raids | Qty seized   | Qty disposed   | Balance      |
|----------------|--------------|-----------|--------------|----------------|--------------|
| 1.             | 112          |   5447.93 | 2471.39      | 2976.54        | Chhattisgarh |
| 2. Haryana     | 1108         |     14.6  | Nil          | 14.60          |              |
| 3. Karnataka   | 1351         |  25545.8  | 2360.78      | 23185.04       |              |
| 4. Madhya      | Pradesh 969  |   3373.6  | 1972.90      |                | 1400.70      |
| 5. Maharashtra | 5250         |  86709.4  | 43778.88     |                | 42930.51     |
| 6. Telangana   | 1924         |   3319.28 | Nil          | 3319.28        |              |
| 7. Rajasthan   | 797          |   2643.77 | 261.61       |                | 2382.16      |
| 8. Jharkhand   | 140          |    282.02 | Nil          | 282.02         |              |
| 9. Odisha      | 180          |   1410.26 | 1403.86      |                | 6.40         |
| 10. Andhra     | Pradesh 1300 |   1361.52 | 352.50       |                | 1009.02      |
| 11. Gujarat    | 203          |     53.01 | Nil          |                | 53.01        |
| 12. Himachal   | Pradesh 500  |      3.42 |              | Nil            | 3.42         |
| 13. NCT Delhi  | 01           |     81.29 |              | 8.13           | 73.16        |
| 14.            | Bihar        |    299    | 360.41       | Nil            | 360.41       |
| Total          | 14134        | 130606    |              | 52610.05       | 77996.27     |

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