BENGALURU: Union food and consumer affairs minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Saturday said pulses production in the country would be a trifle higher than last year, and steps would be initiated to meet the demand through imports.
Addressing the consultation meeting of southern region, organised by the ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution, an initiative to enhance consumer advocacy efforts and issues related to consumer affairs, he said: “This year, our production may be a little more, but I think that it will remain like last year, perhaps 172 lakh tonnes, may be 175 lakh tonnes. But our demand will be around 235 lakh tonnes. Unless our production is increased, we have to solve the problem only through imports.” Stating that the government is already planning to import pulses to address the shortage, Mr Paswan said, “We have asked the commerce department for early permission for imports. We have started buffer stocks for pulses in some states that I have visited like Telangana and AP, where FCI is purchasing pulses.”
Pointing out that pulses are the “only item” whose prices are increasing, Mr Paswan said the rise in prices could be attributed to the demand-supply mismatch.
Consumer study centre likely in Dharwad
After being named the home of prestigious institutions like IIT, Dharwad is likely to emerge as the first choice for the country’s first National Institute for Consumer Study and Research Centre, according to Union minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan, on Saturday.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the regional consultation meeting of states and Union Territories of southern region here, Mr Paswan said: “This is the first of its kind centre for excellence which will come up in the country. We are planning to partner with various institutes to know the pattern of spending, likes and dislikes of consumers.”
Lauding food and civil supplies minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, Mr Paswan said, “Mr Rao has been active and had told me that land has been identified at Hebballi near Dharwad, which is a good move on his part. Once he sends a detailed proposal, I will have to get it sanctioned in the union cabinet.” He disclosed that the Centre has decided to upgrade existing PDS help line into full-fledged consumer help line.
