The Centre’s decision to grant import licences for a total of five lakh tonnes of pulses for 2018-19 to millers has them worried on the tight deadlines and the impact the move will have on the domestic and international markets.

According to a leading miller, the prices of pulses in Myanmar, a major supply centre, jumped by more than $100 a tonne overnight, following the Commerce Ministry’s notification on Friday.

The notification called for millers to apply for import licences for two lakh tonnes toor and 1.5 lakh tonnes each of urad and moong.

Millers can apply for import licences from May 12 to 25. Quotas will be allotted on June 1 on the condition that imports are completed by August 31, the notification said.

According to an industry player who did not want to be named, the main concerns are the impact on the domestic market if the entire annual import of five lakh tonnes arrives in three months.

Also, the Ministry has said the quota will be shared equally among the eligible licencees. This is a concern as there are large and small millers with varied milling capacities.

B Krishna Murthy, Secretary, Tamilnadu Pulses Importers and Exporters Association, said millers are worried about the August deadline.

The cut-off reduces their bargaining power. Quotes of CNF prices from Myanmar for urad (black matpe, special quality) jumped to $600 a tonne from $450, and that of fair average quality to $460 overnight after the notification was issued yesterday.

With domestic prices at about ₹44,000 (about $650) imports are not viable.