Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha has directed the Government agencies to expand procurement of pulses directly from the farmers in all pulse producing States. During a meeting held in New Delhi today to review the prices and availability of essential commodities especially pulses, Mr Sinha directed the agencies to take up procurement of Urad from 15th September and Tur immediately on its arrival. Procurement of Moong has already been started by agencies in Karnataka and Maharashtra and it will be soon expanded to other states according to arrivals. All the concerned Ministries and Departments have been directed to strengthen monitoring mechanism to ensure availability of these commodities at reasonable prices during the coming festival season.