Lok Sabha Question No. 1575 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-26
Subject: Import of Pulses
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: JAYADEV GALLA

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

## Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1575

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2016

## IMPORT OF PULSES

## 1575.   SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:

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

- (a) the total quantum of pulses imported by the Government during the last three years, year and variety-wise;
- (b) the reasons for increase in prices of pulses despite having buffer stocks in the country;
- (c) whether the Government did not send pulses from buffer stock to States facing shortages and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether a high level meeting was held under the aegis of the Ministry of Finance on the issue and if so, the details and the outcome thereof and the action taken thereon; and
- (e) whether India and Mozambique have entered into agreement for import of pulses and if so, the details thereof?

## 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  Government  imported  5000  MT  of  Tur  from  Malawi  in  2015.  No  imports  were undertaken by Government during the previous two years i.e. 2013 and 2014.
- (b) : The recent rise in prices of pulses is mainly on account of shortfall in domestic production due to adverse weather conditions and increase in demand because of rise in population and per capita income and change in food habits. In addition, speculation, cartelization, blackmarketing/hoarding also put pressure on prices. However, the buffer stock of pulses have helped moderated the prices of pulses.
- (c) : No. Madam. The pulses from buffer stock are allocated to the States/UTs.
- (d) : Yes, Madam. The meeting inter alia recommended enhancing the buffer stock designing an appropriate methodology for fixing Minimum Support Prices (MSP); allocation of pulses from buffer stock to States; continued enforcement activities against hoarder, etc.
- (e) : Yes,  Madam.  The  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MOU)  with  Mozambique  aims  at promoting  the  production  of  Pigeon  Peas/Tur  and  other  pulses  in  Mozambique  through  active cooperation between the two countries by encouraging progressive increase in the trading of these pulses, with the objective of doubling the trade in pulses in five years.

*****

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

## Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1575

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2016

## IMPORT OF PULSES

## 1575.   SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:

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

- (a) the total quantum of pulses imported by the Government during the last three years, year and variety-wise;
- (b) the reasons for increase in prices of pulses despite having buffer stocks in the country;
- (c) whether the Government did not send pulses from buffer stock to States facing shortages and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether a high level meeting was held under the aegis of the Ministry of Finance on the issue and if so, the details and the outcome thereof and the action taken thereon; and
- (e) whether India and Mozambique have entered into agreement for import of pulses and if so, the details thereof?

## 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  Government  imported  5000  MT  of  Tur  from  Malawi  in  2015.  No  imports  were undertaken by Government during the previous two years i.e. 2013 and 2014.
- (b) : The recent rise in prices of pulses is mainly on account of shortfall in domestic production due to adverse weather conditions and increase in demand because of rise in population and per capita income and change in food habits. In addition, speculation, cartelization, blackmarketing/hoarding also put pressure on prices. However, the buffer stock of pulses have helped moderated the prices of pulses.
- (c) : No. Madam. The pulses from buffer stock are allocated to the States/UTs.
- (d) : Yes, Madam. The meeting inter alia recommended enhancing the buffer stock designing an appropriate methodology for fixing Minimum Support Prices (MSP); allocation of pulses from buffer stock to States; continued enforcement activities against hoarder, etc.
- (e) : Yes,  Madam.  The  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MOU)  with  Mozambique  aims  at promoting  the  production  of  Pigeon  Peas/Tur  and  other  pulses  in  Mozambique  through  active cooperation between the two countries by encouraging progressive increase in the trading of these pulses, with the objective of doubling the trade in pulses in five years.

*****