MMTC reworks chickpeas import tender, hikes it to 2,000 tonnes

Extends last date for submission of technical and price bids to Oct 28; bids valid up to Nov 5

The state-owned MMTC has floated a revised global tender increasing import quantity of chickpeas to 2,000 tonnes from Australia as pulse prices skyrocket.

In September, the trading agency had invited bids for import of 1,000 tonnes of chickpeas from the same country, which were to be finalised on October 13. The shipments were to be delivered by end of this month.

In a revised tender, MMTC has increased the import quantity to 2,000 tonnes to be purchased from Australia and delivered in Mumbai and Kolkata ports by November-end.

It has also extended the last date for submission of both technical and price bids to October 28. Bids will remain valid up to November 5.

To improve availability and check prices, the government has asked MMTC to import pulses. The agency has already imported 5,000 tonnes of pulses, which are being distributed at subsidised rates in Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

The prices of pulses have soaring for the past few months due to a fall in domestic output by about 2 million tonnes (mt) to 17.20 mt in 2014-15 crop year (July-June) owing to deficient monsoon and unseasonal rains.

Retail prices of tur dal have risen by up to Rs 200 per kg in most parts of the country, from Rs 85 per kg a year ago.

Similarly, urad dal prices rose to nearly Rs 190 per kg, from Rs 100 per kg in the year-ago period.