Speaking to DNA, Paswan said, "It is not possible to extend the time for procurement of tur. Now, farmers are not getting their produce to markets, it is only traders who are importing at a cheaper rate and selling to us at the minimum support price," Paswan said.
The Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, on Monday, turned down Maharashtra government's demand to extend the time for procurement of tur dal (pigeon pea) during his meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The state government had sought an extension to cope with the bumper crop of tur.
Speaking to DNA, Paswan said, "It is not possible to extend the time for procurement of tur. Now, farmers are not getting their produce to markets, it is only traders who are importing at a cheaper rate and selling to us at the minimum support price," Paswan said.
Maharashtra CM Fadnavis had sought an extension in procurement period as the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions have seen a rush to state-run procurement centres. Due to this, farmers across major districts in these regions have seen a waiting period of one week and more. Government agencies like NAFED and FCI have procured 3.5 lakh tonne of tur dal, the highest, from Maharashtra this year. The state government had sought procurement of 50,000 to 1,00,000 tonne more dal through these agencies.
In the 2016-17 Kharif season, the country's tur dal production is estimated to have touched a record high of 4.23 million tonne as against 2.56 million tonne in the last season. Paswan has supported Fadnavis' stand to hike import duty on the dal from 10 per cent to 25 per cent. He, however, added that the issue is handled by the commerce ministry and a careful study was required to ensure that prices do not spike.
Quote: "The Maharashtra CM has demanded an increase in tur dal import duty. I agree that there should be a higher duty on tur dal. But as a minister for consumer affairs, I have to ensure there is no inflation as well. We will discuss and recommend measures to the finance ministry," Paswan said.
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