Kerala mulls importing pulses to tame price rise

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala government is looking into possibility of importing pulses in the backdrop of spiralling prices, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob said Thursday.

"We are looking into the possibility of importing it. We have asked for reports. We have not yet decided on importing," Jacob told PTI.

Civil Supplies Commissioner has asked Supplyco (Kerala state Civil Supplies Corporation) Managing Director for a report. Only after that a decision will be taken, he said.

At least 10,000 tonnes of pulses are sold in Kerala every month through Supplyco.

Giving an example, he said while the local procurement price of tur dal comes to about Rs 180 per kg, Supplyco was selling it at Rs 60 per kg.

The subsidy factor was 'enormous' now due to the present situation of sky rocketing prices, he said adding government had, however, no plans to reduce the subsidy.

To check on hoarders, special squads have been formed and they have begun inspections from today, he said. 'We are conducting raids and checks besides the routine inspections', he added.

Prices have shot up due to a fall in output by two million tonnes in 2014-15 on deficient and untimely rains.

To control the skyrocketing prices, the Centre has taken several measures such as creating a buffer stock of 40,000 tonnes, sale of imported pulses at cheaper rates and imposition of stock limits on traders as well as departmental stores, licensed food processors, importers and exporters.