Government has decided to import further 40 thousand tonnes Chana and 80 thousand tonnes Masoor to strengthen buffer stock. An Inter Ministerial Committee on prices reviewed availability and prices of essential commodities specially pulses at its meeting in New Delhi today. It also reviewed the procurement and distribution of pulses from buffer stock. During the meeting chaired by Consumer Affairs Secretary Hem Pande, it was observed that prices of pulses have shown a declining trend in recent weeks and these are expected to fall further in view of good sowing. The meeting also discussed in detail alternate mechanism for the release of pulses at appropriate time for effective market intervention. The state governments have been requested to expedite lifting of pulses Tur and Urad from the buffer stock for distribution not more than 120 rupees per kilogram. The Government agencies have already procured about 1. 39 lakh tonnes pulses from the domestic market and 56 thousand tonnes have been contracted for import.