Ram Vilas Paswan

At present, the retail price of most pulses are still ruling high across the country even as the wholesale prices have started showing a declining trend.

The government has fixed the minimum support price (MSP) of moong at Rs 5,225 per quintal for this year. The wholesale prices of moong dal have started declining sharply these days and at present are ruling at around Rs 5,750 per quintal.

A new draft law, which prescribes a jail term of up to 5 years and a fine of Rs 50 lakh for celebrities endorsing misleading advertisements, was taken up the group headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

On August 22, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had held an inter-ministerial consultation on imposing ban on sugar futures trading in an effort to curb speculation and check price rise of the sweetener during festival season.

"Industry should invest certain percentage in consumer awareness about food safety," Paswan said while addressing an event to celebrate the first anniversary of 'Surakshit Khadya Abhiyan' organised by CII.

Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, NCP chief and former Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and three ministers from Maharashtra were present in the meeting.

More purchases by India, the world's top consumer of pulses, could help the country rein in its headline inflation, which hit a near two-year high in June on double-digit annual increases in prices of sugar, vegetables and pulses.

Replying to a short-duration discussion on price rise in the Rajya Sabha, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said the government has taken various steps to boost the availability of pulses and expressed hope that the prices would come down in two years.

Celebrities who endorse brands will be held accountable for misleading claims under the new Consumer Protection Act, Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan declared on June 24

As per the Agriculture Ministry's third advance estimate, wheat output has risen to 94.05 million tonnes in the 2015-16 crop year (July-June) from 86.53 million tonnes in the previous year.

Tomato prices which have soared to Rs 80-100 per kg in retail markets across the country are likely to remain elevated for at least next two months as fresh crop is expected to hit markets only by August-end

"In a significant decision, the government has decided to enhance the buffer stock of pulses from 1.5 lakh tonnes to 8 lakh tonnes in a high-level meeting on prices held here today," an official statement by the Food Ministry said.

With prices of pulses soaring to as high as Rs 170 per kg, the government decided to import lentils from Myanmar and Africa and beef up buffer stocks to check the spike in rates

According to trade sources, sugar exports have become viable now as global prices have increased by about 50 percent in the last three months due to disruption in supply from Brazil.

Government may scrap the 25 percent import duty on wheat if prices continue to rise, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on June 10

International prices of sugar are rising and therefore traders may increase the export of sugar to make profit, Paswan said. He added that this move will keep sufficient availability of sugar in domestic market and the price will be under control.

The international prices of sugar are rising and therefore traders may increase the export of sugar to make profit, Paswan said.

The day-long meeting will be chaired by Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman besides senior officials of the central and state departments.

Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on May 17 said the Centre is ready to make available unmilled tur to states at Rs 60 a kg and urad at Rs 82 per kg, which should provide enough room to state governments to sell pulses below Rs 120 a kg

Responding to supplementaries during Question Hour on shortage of pulses, he said the Centre has repeatedly asked the state governments to give in writing their demands, but "states which blame the Government of India have not forwarded their demands."