The Centre today asked states to offload pulses, which were seized from hoarders, in the markets at the earliest to boost supply and control prices.
The states have seized about 1.32 lakh tonnes of pulses in raids conducted on hoarders. So far only 5,366 tonnes have been offloaded in the markets.
While reviewing the prices and availability of essential commodities, the Cabinet Secretary directed the Agriculture and Food Ministries to step up the procurement of pulses.
The pulses are being procured to create buffer stocks so that the government can intervene in the market in case of abnormal price rise.
"The Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha reviewed the prices and availability of essential commodities with some of the major states producing pulses, tomatoes and onions.
"Chief Secretaries of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka participated in the meeting through video conferencing," an official statement said.
The focus of the meeting was on completion of the process of disposal of seized pulses back in the market by the states. The Cabinet Secretary said that disposal should be "completed at the earliest".
He directed the Central and state procurement agencies/organisations to participate in the auction for the disposal of the seized pulses.
State governments informed that perceptible decline in the prices of pulses has been registered and further moderation is expected because of arrivals of new crops and release of seized commodities.
Pulse prices had crossed Rs 200 per kg but now its rates have softened slightly on measures like sale of imported pulses at cheaper rates, de-hoarding operations and decision to create buffer stocks.
Pulse prices have risen sharply due to drop in production by about 2 million tonnes in the 2014-15 crop year.
"Regarding prices of tomatoes, they said recent rise in the prices is due to inclement weather in some parts of the states and soon situation will improve," the statement said.
The Cabinet Secretary asked the agencies of ministries of Food and Agriculture to step up operations for procurement of pulses. He said daily reporting system should be evolved immediately in this regard.
Senior officials of Union Ministries of Agriculture, Food, Commerce & Industry and central agencies dealing with these commodities attended the meeting.
