Inter-Ministerial Committee reviews prices and availability of essential food items

The third meeting of the Inter Ministerial Committee on Prices and Availability of Essential Food Items was held here today.

The committee reviewed the current status of prices and availability of pulses and onions as well as the status regarding arrival of imported pulses and onion.

It observed that prices of pulses and onions remained relatively stable over the week.

As regards imported Tur Dal, the MMTC appraised that the first tranche of 888 MT and 984 MT will arrive at Chennai Port and JNPT, Mumbai on September 23 and 24 respectively.

The entire consignment of 5000 MT of Tur would be received at the two ports by October 20.

As a firm request for the imported Tur Dal has only been received from Andhra Pradesh, it was decided that the first tranche of imported Tur Dal arriving at Chennai Port as well as JNPT, Mumbai may be allocated to them.

With respect to Urad MMTC indicated that 5000 MT of Urad from Myanmar will be received at the Chennai and JNPT. Both the port will received around 2500 MT each by 20th October, 2015. MMTC is in communication with the States who have evinced interest in taking the imported Urad.

The committee also reiterated the need for early finalization of the long term strategy for procurement of pulses to help incentivize its production.

As regards onion, the committee noted that the arrival of advance crops to the market from Karnataka and Rajasthan has started that has helped in moderating the price rise.

As regards imports of onion, about 1000 MT is expected by 1st week of October, 2015 and another 1000 MT by 2nd & 3rd week of October, 2015 at JNPT, Mumbai. While another tender for import of 1000 MT of onion has also been floated on 11th September, 2015 and the bid would be opened on September 22, 2015.