The government today approved further import of 1.70 lakh tonnes of masoor and tur dals for buffer stock to boost domestic supplies and check prices.

Besides, cooperatives NCCF and Nafed have been asked to sell tur and urad through their outlets in cities other than Delhi Rs 105 per kg and Rs 120 per kg, respectively.

The Centre has also decided to provide milled pulses to states for further distribution in the retail market.

These decisions were taken in the Price Stabilization Fund Management Committee meeting, chaired by Consumer Affairs Secretary Hem Pande here today.

"The committee has approved further import of 80,000 tonnes of masoor and 90,000 tonnes of tur for the buffer stock purpose," a senior Consumer Affairs Ministry official told PTI after the meeting.

The state-run MMTCBSE 1.61 %' tenders for import of 1.70 lakh tonnes of pulses have been approved as prices quoted are below the minimum support price (MSP) level, the official added.

MMTC is importing pulses on behalf of the government. So far, it has contracted 1.81 lakh tonnes of pulses, of which 36,000 tonnes have already arrived, as per the official data.

In a separate statement, the Consumer Affairs Ministry said it has asked "NCCF and NAFED to sell the pulses -- Tur and Urad -- through their outlets in other cities also other than Delhi."

In the meeting, it was informed the number of centres has been increased to 417 for procurement of pulses at the MSP directly from farmers and more will be opened if required, it said.

It may be noted that prices of some pulses like moong in the domestic market have fallen below the MSP and the government has started the procurement operation at the MSP to protect the interest of farmers.

The government agencies Nafed, FCI and SFAC have procured more than 1.20 lakh tonnes of pulses from farmers so far.

The government is aiming to create a buffer stock of 2 million tonnes this year, which will be offloaded in the market in times of price spikes.

Sources:economictimes.indiatimes.com