The total area sown under kharif crops as on 11th September, 2015 has reached to 1012.01 lakh hectares as compared to 994.49 lakh hectare last year at this time. Rice has been sown/transplanted in 368.41 lakh hectares, pulses in 110.08 lakh hectare coarse cereals in 180.95 lakh hectares, oilseeds in 181.19 lakh hectares and cotton in 114.75 lakh hectares.
Meanwhile, In a high level committee meeting held here today the Government has decided to import an additional 5000 MT of Tur Dal to increase the availability and control prices of pulses. Import of 10,000MT of Tur and Urad Dals is already in the pipeline and the first consignment will reach by 23rd September, 2015.
Further, The Government has asked the MMTC to expedite import of pulses to ease its availability and requested the State Governments to gear up distribution of pulses through retail outlets. MMTC has assured that 10,000 tons of Pulses will arrive soon. Secretary, Consumer Affairs in a video conference recently held with State Governments discussed further arrangements to increase availability of pulses and onions in the domestic market.
