Prices of pulses will not rise this year: Paswan

Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today assured that prices of pulses will not rise this year as the government has taken necessary steps to bridge the gap between supply and demand.
The Centre has taken all measures to ensure that prices of pulses do not spiral this year, Paswan said.
"Huge gap between demand and supply led to increase in prices of pulses last year. But this year we have already taken several key initiatives that will ensure that there is no spurt in the prices of pulses this year.
"We have ensured that a buffer stock is maintained to check supply of pulses, while we have increased MSP of pulses to increase its production," Paswan was quoted in a statement.

He was speaking at the Budget Aaj Tak programme.
The Minister also said government has stepped up monitoring of import and export of pulses to check any kind of hoarding or black-marketing.

"I can ensure you that there will be no major impact on prices of pulses in the country," he said.
He also pointed that over the years population has grown but pulses production has not increased proportionally, which is mainly due to low MSP and pulses not being considered as cash crop.
"Last year, production of pulses fell by 20 lakh tones at 172 lakh tonnes while demand was 226 lakh tonnes. But we imported only 45 lakh tonnes, which led to shortage and thus the price hike. But this year we have already created a buffer stock of 1.5-lakh tonnes, so there will be not shortage," Paswan added.

The Minister also said that the government is taking various steps to help farmers.
Speaking on the GST bill in forthcoming Budget Session of Parliament, Paswan said the opposition parties have all the right to corner the government but it should let Parliament function.
"The opposition should play a constructive role in governance," he added.