Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today asked the Commerce Ministry to direct trading firms like MMTC and STC to start importing pulses and boost domestic supply. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Mr. Paswan said he has written to the Commerce Ministry to draw up an immediate plan for timely import of pulses because this year also the Kharif crop has not been very encouraging due to successive drought. He said, if effective steps are not taken now, it is likely that pulses demand far exceeds the supply leading to rise in prices of pulses.<br/><br/>In October, Pulses prices in the retail markets had crossed 200 rupees per kg due to fall in domestic output because of poor and unseasonal rains. The Minister said imported pulses will also help in building the buffer stock. On progress made in creating buffer stock of pulses, Mr. Paswan said Food Corporation of India has started procurement of tur dal directly from farmers in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He said about 1,780 quintals of tur has been purchased in the two states.