Question : Purchase of Pulses

(a) whether the State Governments were asked to purchase gram and pulses directly from NAFED by the Union Government and if so, the number of times communications were made between the Centre and the States for the purchase during the last three years;
(b) the total quantity of gram and pulses purchased by the States from NAFED, State-wise
(c) whether a decision was taken regarding the import of pulses in view of its increasing demand; and
(d) if so, the details thereof including the time, rate and quantity of the import along with the name of the countries from which the pulses had been purchased?

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


(a) : The Union Government had offered subsidized grams and pulses to State Government. The pulses were released to States and its agencies by various designated Central agencies including NAFED on behalf of Central Government. State Governments were engaged regularly through written communications, video-conferences and telephonically for ascertaining their respective requirements of pulses and the allocation is made accordingly.

(b) : The details are given at Annexure I.

(c) & (d) : Yes Madam. The details are at Annexure -II.

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