Question : IMPORT OF PULSES

(a) whether the pulses imported during each of the last three years have been lying at various ports awaiting clearance for sale in the domestic market;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) the rate at which these pulses were imported during each of the last three years;

(d) the rates at which these pulses were made available in the retail market during the said period; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to control the prices of pulses in the domestic market in the country?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K. V. THOMAS)

(a) to (c): Information is being collected.

(d) : Details enclosed in Annexure-I

(e) : Government took several measures to increase domestic availability of pulses to check the prices. These measures include (i) lowering of customs duty on import of pulses to zero w.e.f. 08.06.2006;(ii) banning export of pulses since 27.6.2006, except export of Kabuli Chana, and export of organic pulses upto 10,000 tonnes; (iii) imposing stock limits on pulses since 29.8.2006, (iv) banning futures trade in urad and moong since 23.1.2007, (v) implementing the 15% reimbursement of losses scheme for pulses during December 2006 to March 2011, and (vi) implementing the PDS subsidy scheme for pulses from November 2008 onwards.