Question : Joint Venture for Agri Produces

(a) whether the Government is aware that some of the Indian companies had allegedly formed a Joint Venture with foreign companies with the aim to collect agri produces on large scale from farmers in major pulses producing States and manage to get the cap on three pulses arhar, moong and urad removed through Government Order, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether these companies have allegedly collected most of the produces at very cheap rates at their warehouses which result in shortage crisis mainly for Arhar dal and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has conducted any enquiry in this regard; and
(d) if so, the details and the outcome thereof along with the action taken on the outcome of the inquiry report and the preventive measures taken to check such malpractice in future?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a): No, Madam. The Government is not aware of such incident and no representation was also received in my Ministry in this regard.
(b) to (d): Does not arise. However, in view of the unexpected price rise of pulses in 2015-16, the Government had taken various steps to ease the situation including import of pulses, direction to state governments to take up random checks to prevent hoarding, checks by Income Tax officials, etc. In 2016-17, the Government has intervened with the highest ever procurement of pulses to ensure price support to the farmers.
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