February 22 2016, 18.57 PM IST || Pocket News Alert
New Delhi: Union Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Ram Vilas Paswan while speaking at “Budget Aaj Tak” conclave on Monday said the Centre has taken all measures to ensure that prices of pulse do not spiral this year. He also said his ministry has readied some key legislations that would boost interest of consumers and improve quality of products.
“Hue gap between demand and supply led to increase in prices of pulses last year…But this year we have already taken several key initiatives that will ensure that there is no spurt in the prices of pulses this year. We have ensured that a buffer stock is maintained to check supply of pulses, while we have increased MSP of pulses to increase its production. We have also stepped up monitoring of import and export of pulses to check any kind of hoarding or blackmarketing. I can ensure you that there will be no major impact on prices of pulses in the country,” he said.
Mr. Paswan highlighted that while over the years population has grown by 40 per cent but production of pulses has increased by only 18 per cent, which is mainly due to low MSP and pulses not being considered as cash crop. Last year production of pulses fell by 20 lakh tones at 172 lakh tones while demand was 226 lakh tones. But we imported only 45 lakh tones, which led to shortage and thus the price hike. But this year we have already created a buffer stock of 1.5-lakh tones, so there will be not shortage,” he added.
Mr. Paswan also said last year 87,000 tonnes of pulses was seized from Maharashtra and 22,000 tones from Karnataka. He said it was duty of the state government to check hoarding and blackmarketing of pulses and that the Centre was in constant check with state governments to ensure active monitoring of stock of pulses is carried out.
On GST Bill and forthcoming Budget session of Parliament, he said the Opposition parties have all the right to corner the government but it should let Parliament function. The opposition should play a constructive role in governance.
Mr. Paswan said his government was taking all steps to help farmers. For instance, they have taken various steps to help sugarcane farmers by clearing majority of their dues and by helping sugar mill owners. On consumer protection, he said new legislations were being brought to check adulteration and make consumer courts more powerful and effective.
