Government has procured over 15 thousand tonnes of pulses so far from farmers to create a buffer stock. Briefing reporters in New Delhi while giving details of achievements of his ministry in the past 19 months, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said the procurement has been done in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. He said the price rise of pulses is a challenge for the government and it has been due to gap in supply and demand. <br/><br/>Last month, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had approved creation of buffer stock of 1.5 lakh tonnes in view of sky rocketing of retail prices of pulses. Mr. Paswan said state-owned PSUs have imported 5 thousand tonnes of tur dal and floated tenders for an additional 10 thousand tonnes. He said private traders have imported 44 lakh tonne pulses so far this fiscal.