To build a buffer stock in a bid to keep a check on prices and availability, government agencies have so far procured 51,000 tonnes of kharif and 60,000 tonnes of rabi pulses so far. As market intervention efforts, agencies have also procured 15,635 tonnes of onions.

Also, about 13,000 tonnes of imported pulses have arrived and delivery of about 6,000 tonnes is in the pipeline, an official release said here on Tuesday.

“The arrived quantity includes 11,000 tonne of tur and 2,000 tonnes of urad,” said the statement, issued after the inter-Ministerial committee meeting held to review the prices of essential commodities here on Tuesday.

During the meeting, state governments were urged to seek allocation of pulses from the buffer stock to sell at reasonable prices, which should not be more than Rs 120 per kg.

So far, Tamil Nadu, Andhra, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Telangana have been allocated some quantity of pulses after the Centre received their requests.

In Delhi, Kendriya Bhandar and Safal outlets have been allocated pulses to sell through their outlets. These agencies have so far sold 635.31 quintals of tur and 245 quintals of urad at Rs 120/kg, the release added.

The committee was also informed that at present the Food Corporation of India has about 32 million tonne of wheat in its stock, against the public distribution system’s requirement of about 24 million tonne.

“The government has already sanctioned about 6.25 million tonne of wheat for open market sale operations during the current financial year,” the release added.

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