51,000 tonnes seized pulses offloaded in retail market

New Delhi: Over 51,000 tonnes of pulses, out of 1.3 lakh tonnes seized during the raids, have been offloaded in the market so far as part of the government's steps to boost domestic availability and control prices.

Pulses prices had crossed Rs 200 per kg in the retail market due to a fall in production by two million tonnes in 2014-15 crop year (July-June).

However, rates have eased due to several measures taken by the government such as sale of imported pulses at subsidised rate, imposition of stock holding limits, raids on hoarders and creation of buffer stocks.

"As per reports received from the state governments, till yesterday, 51,732.27 tonnes pulses seized under dehoarding operations have been auctioned or offloaded through other options in the market to increase availability. This will help to moderate the prices further," an official statement said.

Maharashtra has offloaded 43,778.88 tonnes so far out of 86,709.39 tonnes seized by the state government during 5,250 raids. Karnataka has disposed of only 1,483 tonnes so far out of 25,545.82 tonnes seized.

"The High Court of Karnataka on November 23, declared the Department of Food and Civil Supplies' seizure of pulses stored by traders as "illegal" and ordered the release of pulses, edible oils and oilseeds from them," the statement said.

Since imposition of the stock holding limits on pulses by the states, 1,30,439.42 tonnes of pulses have been seized till December 2.

Efforts are being made also by other states to expedite disposal of seized pulses as per provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, it added.