Govt asserts that prices of pulses will be brought down

Under attack from opposition on inflation, the government today asserted that prices of pulses would be brought down and asked states to share the responsibility, particularly by taking stringent action against hoarders.
"Like we have contained prices of other essential items, we will control prices of pulses also in the coming days... hoarders will not be spared," Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said in Lok Sabha while replying to a discussion on price rise.
No government wants that prices should keep on rising unabated, he said, adding that the government has also to be mindful of over-production which may result in lower prices of agriculture commodities and adversely impact farmers.

"By the grace of (rain) God Indra, the production of pulses is expected to be 200 lakh tonne, while 60 lakh ton will be imported and there will be buffer stock of 20 lakh tonne," he said.
Expressing confidence that the situation on the pulses' front will be fine in the coming months, Paswan said there should not be a situation where farmers say next year that the cost of production is higher than the market prices.
He also asked state governments to lift subsidised pulses from the buffer stock for sale at a reasonable price to consumers, besides importing pulses and further subsidising the grains supplied by the Centre under the food law.

"Barring pulses, prices have not increased in any (essential food) item," Paswan said, while offering states to lift any quantity of tur and urad dal from buffer stock at respective rates of Rs 66 and Rs 82 per kg.
Observing that it was not only the Centre's responsibility to tackle food inflation, Paswan said the state governments would also have to take responsibility.
"State governments should cooperate with the Centre and take action against hoarders," the minister said.