Maharashtra lifts pulse import limits ahead of Diwali

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It is estimated that over 25 lakh tonnes of pulses is likely to be released post this decision. The stock limits were imposed to prevent hoarding. The government has now considered to exempt pulses importers from the ambit of stock holding limits and according to officials, over 2.5 lakh tonnes of pulses especially tur dal, which is currently priced at Rs 160, has been stranded at the Mumbai port. This is part of the over 25 lakh tonne pulses contracted to be delivered between October 15 and January 31, 2016, and the total worth of the contracts stands at around Rs 6,500 crore.

Food and Civil Supplies Secretary Deepak Kapoor said that the meeting has decided to exempt the stock limits at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust. “Earlier, these stocks were kept at the dockyard as there were stock limits on the imported pulses released in the markets. With the decision to remove these limits, there would be enough supply in the market and in two days time, the association has to reduce the prices,’’ he said. He added that the initiative was taken ahead of Diwali with a huge hue and cry over escalating prices on pulses.

Praveen Dongre of India Pulses and Grain association welcomed the move of the government. “We welcome the decision of the government as there is already 2.50 lakh tonnes stock already at the port and another 5.50 lakh tonnes expected to come in by November from Australia, US and Canada. Lifting the exemption would help correct the prices,’’said Dongre of the decision. The association has said that they have offered the same for Rs 120 kg and there would be a sharp correction in the market. Earlier, last month, the government had imposed a limit on the stock holdings of pulses that included several varieties of chana, tur, moong, urad and masoor dal. The policy of putting limits was to check hoarding by stocklists and retailers, and the exemption by the government will now correct the prices. Retailer associations said they would reduce the prices once there is enough stock in the market.

Earlier last week, the India Pulses and Grains Association had made a representation to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley seeking exemption from stock holding limit imposed by the Central government. The association in their meeting had offered 100 tonnes of imported tur dal to the government at
Rs 130-Rs 140 and Rs 80 a kg for masoor dal.