Government has said that pulses prices have fallen by an average 20 rupees per kg following raids on hoarders and the rates would ease further with the arrivals of kharif crops. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley yesterday chaired a high-level meeting to review the prices of essential commodities ahead of the festive season.<br/><br/>According to an official release, following the sustained de-hoarding operations the wholesale and retail prices of pulses have moderated in the last two weeks. The supply situation will further improve when 1.3 lakh tonnes of pulses seized in the states will come into the retail market.<br/><br/>During the meeting Mr Jaitley asked the Agriculture as well as Food and Consumer Affairs Ministries to boost procurement of pulses for creation of buffer stock. He emphasised the importance of ensuring adequate availability of essential commodities and taking proactive steps to hold the price line at reasonable levels.<br/><br/>The Minister directed senior officials to remain vigilant, work closely with the states and take immediate measures. The minister asked all the related departments to ensure that the common citizen has access to adequate supplies of essential commodities in the ensuing months, especially during the festive season.<br/><br/>Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme yesterday, Mr Jaitley also said that retail inflation has come to down to about 4 per cent from 12 per cent since the new government came in. He suggested that the prices of pulse grew also because proper action was not taken by states against the hoarders.<br/><br/>He said, requirement of pulses is 22 million tonne in the country and the production was increased up to 17 million tonne but still there is a short of 5 million tonne production. He said, most of the countries from where India used to import pulses have also recorded low production.