Hike in Import Duty lifts prices of pulses
   Date :23-Sep-2020

pulses_1  H x W
 
 
Business Bureau :
 
Government had set the import cap of 3 lakh tonne of pulses 
 
Prolong monsoon clubbed with hike in Import Duty has lifted the prices of pulses in the wholesale market. According to the sources, pulses prices are being quoted between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 per tonne on higher side in all the varieties. At retail, the prices are costlier depending upon the locality. With the festive season at the doorstep and more emphasise on the protein diet due to the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, prices should be brought under control, sources felt.
 
 
pulses_1  H x W
 
 
Pratap Motwani, Secretary of The Wholesale Grains and Seeds Merchants Association while talking to The Hitavada said, “One of the major reasons for the prices going northwards is increase in Import Duty on pulses by the Government. There was also delay in issuing import licence. This year, there is long rainy spell which has also given birth to pests. Pests have caused 15 per cent damage to the crop.” He said, although Government had set the import cap of 3 lakh tonne of pulses, licenses were not issued to the traders for it. The sowing of tur has been done on 48.24 lakh hectares as compared to 45.46 lakh hectares last year. He said, “It is high time that National Agricultural Co-operative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) should release the stock of pulses which it has purchased last year from the farmers in the market.
 
This was done to keep the prices under control until the new crop arrives in the market in the month of November or first week of December.” When asked about the prediction of prices, Motwani replied that the prices will be up or down in the range of Rs 5 or Rs 10. He said, “Government is more cautious about the situation and is taking right steps, such as it has increased the minimum support price (MSP) of Channa (gram) dal from Rs 4,800 per tonne to Rs 5,100 per tonne. Similarly, the price of Masoor dal has been hiked from Rs 4,800 to Rs 5,100 and Mung dal from Rs 6,975 to Rs 7,100 a few days ago.”
 
“Even the Import Duty on Masoor dal has been reduced to 10 per cent from 30 per cent for 90 days. All these indicate that Government has tighten its belt to keep the prices of pulses under control which will give optimum benefit to consumers,” Motwani further added.