Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

19-March-2012 16:51 IST

Import of Pulses

Government undertakes to import pulses to bridge the gap between demand and domestic supply. Any decision to import in the current year will be taken after seeing the trend of arrivals of rabi harvest in the mandis.

Imports are currently under zero duty (till 31.3.2012). Pulses are also imported by PSUs for distribution to States under the PDS which is valid till 31.3.2012.

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

DS/GK

Import of pulses: zero-duty imports to bridge domestic supply gap, subject to rabi harvest arrivals assessment. Government will import pulses to bridge the domestic demand-supply gap, with procurement decisions contingent on rabi harvest arrivals; imports presently attract zero duty, and Public Sector Undertakings may import pulses for distribution under the Public Distribution System, subject to the current policy period.