NEW DELHI: The Centre today said it has already contracted import of 8,500 tonnes of pulses and the shipments are on the way. It also said pulse procurement for buffer stock has touched 51,000 tonnes, surpassing the target set for this kharif season.
“Prices and availability of essential commodities were reviewed today. The meeting was informed that the import of 8,500 tonnes of dal ordered is already on the way,” an official statement read.
The meeting, chaired by Consumer Affairs Secretary C Viswanath, also reviewed the buffer stock of pulses and tomato production situation, among others. Senior officials of consumer affairs, agriculture and commerce ministries, FCI, MMTC and NAFED were present.
It was informed at the meeting that the government agencies have procured 51,000 tonnes of kharif pulses for the buffer stock as against the target of 50,000 tonnes. “Now, they have been asked to start procurement of masoor, gram dal and other rabi pulses,” the statement said.
For creating pulse buffer stock, the government has set a procurement target of 50,000 tonnes from kharif season and 1,00,000 tonnes from rabi season of the 2015-16 crop year.
