Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has reportedly been directed to import gram pulse in lots of 5,000 tons and submit monthly stock position to the ECC, well informed sources told Business Recorder. Ministry of National Food Security and Research in its summary to the ECC revealed that the production of grams in Pakistan had recently been erratic. The crop was highly susceptible to disease and vagaries of weather.
While highlighting the production of grams in the country during last five years, the sponsoring Ministry stated that owing to a very good crop in 2012-13, Pakistan did not feel the need to import grams for local consumption during the last three years.
The main reason for last year''s lower productivity was attributed to the untimely precipitation in months of April-May. Owing to lesser production this year, its prices in the local retail market has been increasing. An overview of the price fluctuation of the commodities during the last five years was also given.
It was informed that during last six months the price of grams in the local market had gone up from Rs 77/kg to Rs 113/kg. Though, the shortage of the commodity was not of alarming proportions, it appeared that the ''market forces were taking unfair advantage of the situation. The Ministry of National Food Security and Research proposed to: (i) import 100,000 tons grams for Utility Store Corporation, in piecemeal, and (ii) import operation should stop by December, 2015 so that the imported stocks were consumed before arrival of the new crop.
ECC argued that 50,000 tons grams should be imported instead of 100,000 tons as proposed by the sponsoring Ministry. The ECC was further of the view that the commodity should be imported in lots of 5,000 tons each, in consultation with Ministry of Commerce. The ECC also advised the sponsoring Ministry to monitor the market regularly in order to be aware of the stock position of the commodity.
After detailed discussion, the ECC approved, in principle, the import of 50,000 tons grams through TCP and directed to import the commodity in lots of 5,000 tons each. The ECC directed that Ministry of National Food Security and Research and Ministry of Commerce should co-ordinate their activities in this regard under the overall supervision of the Minister for National Food Security and Research. The ECC further directed the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to submit a monthly report to the ECC of the Cabinet about the stock position of grams in the country.
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