Procurement of Rabi pulses reaches 68,000 MT

Procurement of rabi pulses has reached 68,000 MT as on June 27, a Union Food Ministry source said on Tuesday.

According to the source, together with earlier procurement of 51,000 MT of Kharif, total domestic procurement of pulses by government agencies has reached to 1, 19,000 MT.

In addition, 14,321 MT more of pulses "have been imported" by the government agencies against the total contracted quantity of 46,000 MT.

In Delhi, outlets of Kendriya Bhandar and Mother Dairy/Safal have sold 1,058 quintal Tur and 345 quintal of Urad so far at the rate Rs 120 per kg as on June 27, the source said.

Pulse stocks and related issues were discussed at an inter-ministerial review meeting chaired by Consumer Affairs Secretary Hem Pande here, sources said.

The meeting reviewed the prices of essential commodities and discussed measures to ensure availability of these commodities at reasonable prices.

Pande also reviewed lifting and distribution of the pulses allocated from the buffer stock to the states.

"It was decided that the states will be requested again to expedite lifting of pulses - Tur and Urad for distribution at Rs 120 per kg," the source said.

Meanwhile, the food ministry source said Food Corporation of India (FCI) maintains "adequate stock" of foodgrains to deal with fluctuations in productions and to meet unforeseen natural calamities.

As per stocking norms as on April 1, FCI has to maintain wheat stocks of 74.60 lakh MT (LMT), whereas 145.38 LMT wheat stocks were available in central pool as on April 1.

"During the current wheat procurement seasons, about 230 LMT wheat have been procured," it said.

--IANS

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