Question : Prices of Pulses

(a) whether in view of recent spurt in prices, the Government has decided to involve Intelligence agencies in monitoring the sale of pulses in the market to check their black-marketing and hoarding so as to ensure adequate supply and control prices of pulses, if so, the details thereof along with the objectives in this regard;

(b) the progress made in this regard and the extent to which the said efforts are likely to help in checking the increasing prices of pulses; and

(c) whether the Government is considering to enter into contracts at Government level for import of pulses and to limit the role of traders in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)

(a) & (b) : Yes, Madam. Government has set up a Group of Officers involving various enforcement agencies for regular monitoring and exchange of information on hoarding, cartelization, etc. During 2015-16, domestic searches and surveys were conducted on some importers, traders and financiers engaged in the pulses trade. The prices of pulses inter alia is also influenced by hoarding and black-marketing. The regular monitoring and coordinated action of the Government would help moderate the prices through disincentivising such hoarding/black-marketing.

(c) : The Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mozambique for import of pulses on Government-to-Government (G2G) basis.

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