Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

12-December-2011 16:26 IST

Export of all pulses are banned since 27.06.2006. Some exemptions to this ban are (i) kabuli channa (exempted since 07.03.2007) (ii) export of organic pulses with annual limit of 10,000 MTs (exempted since 23.03.2011) and (iii) export to Sri Lanka under specific permission granted by DGFT.  In addition to these, exemptions have been given on a few occasions for export of pulses to Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives. At present there is no ban on export of onion and is permitted subject to Minimum Export Price notified by DGFT. In the last one year ban on export of onion was imposed twice i.e. (i) from 22.12.2010 to 18.02.2011 and (ii) from 09.09.2011to 20.09.2011. Decision to ban exports or modify the export policies of commodities including pulses and onion are taken by the Government from time to time to ensure that there is no scarcity of the items in the country and these are available to the consumers at reasonable prices.  Review of export policy is a continuous process undertaken by the Government from time to time. The Government reviews the export policy in consultation with the administrative Ministries and the Departments concerned, keeping in view the various factors such as availability of goods in the domestic market, production, the price situation and various national and international commitments etc.

The details of import of onion and pulses during the last three years are given below:

(Quantity in Tons and Value in Lakh Rupees)

This information was given by Shri Jyotiradiya M. Scindia, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

DS/GK

Export ban on pulses continues with specified exemptions; export policies reviewed to protect domestic availability and prices. Export of pulses has been banned since 27 June 2006 subject to limited exemptions, including kabuli channa, authorised organic pulses under an annual cap, and exports permitted to specific countries by DGFT; occasional ad hoc permissions have been given for certain regional markets. The Government reviews and may modify export policy to ensure domestic availability and reasonable prices. Onion exports are currently permitted subject to Minimum Export Price, though temporary bans have been imposed previously.