Question : Prices of Pulses

(a) whether the prices of pulses have allegedly been stacked up due to speculation and cartelisation by a few importers who hoarded pulses through dummy companies, if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto;
(b) whether the Government has directed the State Governments to prepare list of importers, wholesalers and major traders of pulses;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(d) whether the Government has also asked States to ensure that the stock limits for both wholesalers and retailers are enforced to avoid any hoarding and if so, the details thereof and the response of the State Government thereto; and
(e) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to check the abnormal trend of speculation in the market and control the prices of pulses in the country?

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

(a) : The recent rise in prices of pulses is mainly on account of shortfall in domestic production due to adverse weather conditions and increase in demand because of rise in population and per capita income and change in food habits. As speculation, cartelization, black-marketing/hoarding also put pressure on prices, domestic searches and surveys have been conducted on a number of importers, traders and financiers engaged in the pulses trade.

(b) & (c): The Government has advised States/UTs to put in place a mechanism for regular collection of data/information on stocks of pulses being held by dealers for effective implementation of Stock limits.

(d) : The Government has regularly issued advisories to States/UTs for strict enforcement of the Essential Commodities (EC) Act, 1955 and the Prevention of Black-marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities (PBMMSEC) Act, 1980.States/UTs have been conducting raids and seized pulses are being disposed, as per the provisions under the EC Act, 1955.

(e): The requisite details are given at Annexure.
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