1st lot of imported pulses arrives; onions expected later this week

The first tranche of 1,792 tonnes of tur dal arrived last week, the first import of pulses by the government in about last four years, which will help boost domestic supplies and check rising retail prices.

While, the first consignment of urad dal will reach by October 20 and onions by October 3. Now, imported tur dal is being allocated to states as per their requests. The remaining 5,000 tonnes of tur, already ordered for import, is expected to reach by October 1.

"The first tranche of 888 tonnes and 984 tonnes of tur dal has arrived at Chennai Port and JNPT, Mumbai on 23rd <g data-gr-id="32">September,</g> 2015 and 24th <g data-gr-id="33">September,</g> 2015 respectively," the Food Ministry said 

in a statement.

This was informed at a meeting of the <g data-gr-id="27">Inter Ministerial</g> Committee on Prices and Availability of Essential Food Items Chaired by Consumer Affairs Secretary C Viswanath here on Monday.

Regarding onions, the MMTC officials, who were also present at the meeting, informed that first tranche of onions imported from China and Egypt is expected to reach on October 3, <g data-gr-id="38">2015</g> at JNPT, Mumbai. The imported stock would be made available to states/ UTs as per their demands to help 

moderate the prices.

The Committee also noted that the arrival of advance crops to the market from Karnataka and Rajasthan has helped in moderating the prices. It was also indicated that <g data-gr-id="36">post Kharif</g>, sowing of onions has been good and is expected to improve supply.

Prices of both pulses and onions have risen unabated in the last few weeks due to fall in domestic production. Barring chana dal, prices of all other pulses have gone up to Rs 150 per kg in most retail markets.

Similarly, retail prices of onion are continuing to rule high at Rs 70/kg in Delhi and the same trend prevails in other parts of the country.