The Hindu Business Line : ‘Allow private trade to import pulses’

Chennai, Aug. 30 An inter-active session of pulses importers and trade has blamed the Centre for floating tenders seeking huge quantity of pulses as one of the main reasons for the prices of these commodities ruling high.

“The tenders floated are in huge quantity and therefore, the suppliers are quoting higher prices to keep cushion and high margins,” said the Pulses Importers Association President, Mr K.C. Bharatiya, in a statement.

The better way to check prices would be allow private trade and the Centre could provide subsidy to the importers to offer the pulses at lower prices to the consumers. “This will lead to smooth supply,” the statement said.

The Government, on the other hand, should ban imports by parastatal agencies, Mr Bharatiya said, adding that most of the importers would be selling imported pulses directly instead of storing them in warehouses. “This ensures that shortages of pulses are not created,” he said in the statement.

Subsidy issue

Subsidy to importers could be fixed on item basis to avoid issues arising out of calculation.

Referring to the ban on export of pulses, Mr Bharatiya said it was one of the reasons for the high prices of pulses in the global market.

The ban had led to India losing its hold as a major supplier of finished pulses. The ban, besides leading to higher prices, has affected the milling sector badly and put at stake the survival of the industry.

Allow exports

The Government should allow exports against imports so that global prices will be under check.

The lower conversion cost in the country will also keep a leash on the price surge, he said.

Moreover, 25 lakh tonnes of various pulses are imported and against this, only three lakh tonnes are exported.

Taking these facts into consideration, the Centre should look at allowing exports against imports, he said.

The importers body also called protecting the growers’ interest. It could be done by fixing a higher minimum support prices for pulses and removing stock limits, Mr Bharatiya added.