SC seeks Centre’s reply on plea seeking import curbs on yellow peas

Issuing notice, a bench of Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan and NK Singh wondered if the country’s production of pulses is enough to meet the demand.

The plea by farmers’ organisation Kisan Mahapanchayat urged SC to shelve Centre’s notifications allowing uninterrupted free import of yellow peas and extending the import period from time to time.

The Supreme Court on Thursday sought the Centre’s response on a PIL challenging the decision to allow the import of yellow peas, with the petitioner contending that the move was detrimental to the interests of Indian farmers who grow pulses.

Issuing notice, a bench of Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan and NK Singh wondered if the country’s production of pulses is enough to meet the demand.

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The plea urged SC to direct the Centre to put restrictions in place that ensure the price at which the imported pulse is sold in India is at or above the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The plea also sought the prohibition of the import of yellow peas as recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).

Appearing for Kisan Mahapanchayat, Prashant Bhushan said CACP recommended the country must prioritise domestic production to ensure long-term food security and price stability. “By increasing the area under cultivation and improving yields, India can reduce imports dependency and stabilise domestic prices,” he said.

“But did you examine that this production of pulses in India is insufficient,” Justice Kant asked.

Bhushan said the import of yellow peas is happening at `3,500 per quintal while the MSP fixed for dal is around `8,500 per quintal.

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