New Delhi: The government told Parliament on Wednesday that India has brought in 11.32 lakh tonnes of pulses in order to satisfy the country's domestic demand during the April-May period of the current fiscal year.
In the complete fiscal year of 2023-24, the nation brought in 47.39 lakh tonnes of pulses. The Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, stated in a written response to the Lok Sabha that 11.32 lakh tonnes of pulses were imported by May in the fiscal year 2024-25. The import of pulses was 24.66 lakh tonnes in 2020-21; 27 lakh tonnes in 2021-22, and 24.96 lakh tonnes in 2022-23.
India's pulse production adequacy meets the country's internal needs. "Nevertheless, there is a necessity for imports in specific pulses like tur, urad, and masur because of consumer preferences," she stated. The minister stated that a stockpile of pulses and onions has been kept in the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) to intervene in the market and control price fluctuations.
At present, a fluctuating supply of pulses such as tur, urad, Moong, Masur, and Gram are being kept in stock. "The amount of stocks held by the government also contributed to preventing market players from hoarding or engaging in dishonest speculation," she explained. In July, 2023, Bharat Dal was introduced by converting chana stock in the PSF to chana dal for retail distribution, ensuring affordable availability to consumers.
Consumers can purchase the Bharat Chana Dal at discounted prices of Rs 60 per kg for a 1 kg pack and Rs 55 per kg for a 30 kg pack. Till July 22, 2024, retail consumers have purchased more than 11.37 lakh tonnes of Bharat Chana Dal.The Bharat Dal now offers Bharat Moong Dal, made from the moong stock in the PSF buffer, for sale to consumers.
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