Question : Import of Pulses

(a) whether the Government is contemplating to import pulses despite adequate production of pulses in the country and if so, the reasons therefor;
(b) the details of the production and consumption of pulses at present in the country;
(c) the quantum of pulses imported from various countries during the last two years and the actual cost thereof;
(d) the details of steps taken so far by the Government for price stabilization of pulses, indicating the amount spent thereon, during the last two years; and
(e) the amount spent on pulse subsidy and whether this subsidy actually benefited the farmers and the consumers?

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

(a) : No Madam. Government is not contemplating import of pulses other than those that may be for addressing international obligation under MoU.

(b) : As per the 3rd Advance Estimates of the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, production of pulses for 2016-17 is estimated at 22.40 million MT. The Report of the Working Group of erstwhile Planning Commission on ‘Food grains-Balancing Demand & Supply’, projected demand for pulses for 2016-17 at 24.61 million MT.

(c) : The requisite details are at ANNEXURE.

(d) : Under the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) scheme, the steps taken by the Government for stabilization of prices of pulses, include creation of buffer stock of upto 20 lakh MT primarily through domestic procurement and also through imports, release of pulses at subsidized rates to States/Central Agencies for retailing at reasonable rate and financial assistance to States for creation of State-level PSF. The amount allocated under PSF in 2015-16 and 2016-17 was Rs. 710 crore and Rs. 6,900 crore respectively.

(e) : During 2016, as against the cost of procurement of around Rs. 93/- per kg for Tur and Rs. 96/- per kg for Urad for the buffer, allocation to States/Central Agencies were made at subsidized rates of Rs. 66/- per kg for Tur and Rs. 82/- per kg for Urad for direct retailing at not more than Rs. 120/- per kg when the retail prices were much higher. Similarly, in respect of Chana, against the cost of procurement of around Rs. 67/- per kg for buffer, it was allocated at Rs. 50/- per kg and Rs. 60/- per kg to help moderate the market prices. In addition, as on 26.07.2017, around 16.74 lakh MT of pulses were also procured from farmers either at MSP or market prices, but not below MSP, towards building the buffer stock of upto 20 lakh MT, thereby, offering remunerative prices to the farmers.
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