No plans to levy import duty on pulses now, says Pawar

The Government has no immediate plans to impose any import duty on pulses, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said on Tuesday. He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Foundation Day of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.The confusion among pulses traders was triggered following reports that the Food Ministry was in favour of imposing a 7.5 per cent import duty.The Commission for Agriculture Costs and Prices (CACP), in its recommendations, had suggested imposition of a 10 per cent on duty on imports to boost domestic production.Currently, there is no duty and importers can bring in pulses duty free till March 31, according to a Finance Ministry notification issued in March.The pulses trade has opposed any move to impose import duty.However, the trade wants the Government to open up exports to help stabilise prices that are currently bearish and below levels of the minimum support price

Source: The Hindu Business Line