NEW DELHI: Government is eyeing immediate
import
of around two lakh tonnes of
Bengal gram
(desi chana) to increase availability of
pulses
in the market. So far, around 15 lakh tonnes of yellow peas have been imported for use as a substitute for chana (gram) since import duty was abolished in Dec last year.
Government last week removed import duty on Bengal gram and extended import duty exemption on yellow peas till Oct.
Sources said the move to do away with import duty on Bengal gram will give a signal to farmers in Australia and other countries for planting this pulses variety. “Once they know that we will be importing more, their farmers will be motivated to take up more cultivation of chana,” an official said.
Earlier, black gram attracted 66% import duty, to encourage domestic production. While Government has maintained that estimated production of Bengal gram as per agriculture ministry is pegged at 121 lakh tonnes for 2023-24 crop years (July-June) compared to 122 lakh tonnes in the previous year, trade sources estimate the output to be less than the official projection.
Trade sources said the market
prices
of chana (gram), which has almost 50% share of country’s tur output, is in the range of Rs 6,000-Rs 6,100 per quintal against the MSP of Rs 5,440 a quintal. With demand for chana rising from state Government for distribution for their welfare schemes, there is also strain on the stock held by the Centre.
In its bid to prevent hoarding by private players, the consumer affairs department has made the stock declaration mandatory for traders, importers and millers from April 15.
