New Delhi, Sept 11 (KNN) The Government has asked the MMTC to expedite import of pulses to ease its availability and requested the State Governments to gear up distribution of pulses through retail outlets.
 
MMTC has assured that 10,000 tons of Pulses will arrive soon. Secretary, Consumer Affairs in a video conference recently held with State Governments discussed further arrangements to increase availability of pulses and onions in the domestic market. 

Government of India has taken a series of policy initiatives and measures to enhance the availability and thereby moderate prices of pulses and onions, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution today said in a release.
 
Stock limits have already been imposed on Pulses and State Governments have been requested to take strict action against hoarding and black-marketing and use available provisions and powers under Essential Commodities Act.
 
Future trading in Pulses like Urad and Tur has already been suspended. Export of Pulses has been banned and there is zero duty on import of Pulses.
 
Pulses have also been included for assistance under Price Stabilization scheme. To increase availability of Pulses in the domestic market, 5,000 tons of Tur and 5,000 tons of Urad have been ordered to be imported and these imports are likely to reach shortly, which will ease the price situation. 

As a result of these measures taken by the Government, further increase in the prices of pulses has been arrested and in the coming days with the import prices are likely to show declining trends, the release said. (KNN Bureau)