Plan to import additional gram from Australia to control prices
13-Jun-2024 06:20 PM
New Delhi. Due to rising prices of pulses and pulses in the domestic sector and the fall in the production of gram, there is a problem in the market and the difficulties of the common people and the concern of the government are increasing.
In view of this, the government is planning to ensure the import of additional gram from Australia as soon as possible.
It is known that more than 16 lakh tonnes of yellow peas have already been imported from some other countries including Russia and Canada and now efforts are being made to increase the import of gram.
It is noteworthy that the government has made the import of Desi gram and yellow peas dry free till 31 October 2024, whereas earlier it had a customs duty of 66 percent and 55 percent respectively.
But despite the huge import of yellow peas, there was no effect on the domestic market price of gram and its price remains at a high level. Due to this the government has to consider a new strategy.
According to official sources, the Indian government has informed Australia that in the coming months, large quantities of gram can be imported from there so that it can help in increasing its supply and availability in the domestic sector and curbing the price rise.
It is worth mentioning that gram alone contributes about 50 percent to the total annual production of pulses in India and it is consumed in huge quantities domestically.
The effect of the fall in the production of gram is also being seen on the prices of other pulses. The data of the Department of Consumer Affairs shows that the average retail price of gram dal has jumped from Rs. 7470 per quintal last year to Rs. 85.80 per quintal in the current year.
Two days ago, it had reached Rs. 8760 per quintal. In the same one-year period, the average retail price of Tuvar dal has jumped from Rs. 126.40 per kg to Rs. 160.30 per kg. The price of urad daal has also increased by 13.5 percent, but the increase in lentil has been limited.
According to trade analysts, the intention expressed by the Indian Government to increase the import of gram from Australia has sent a good signal to the producers there and they are trying their best to increase its area.