NEW DELHI/AGARTALA, Nov 22 (TIWN): The Cabinet Secretary, Shri P.K. Sinha reviewed the prices and availability of essential commodities with some of the major States producing pulses, tomatoes and onions. Chief Secretaries of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka participated in the meeting through video conferencing. Senior officials of union Ministries of Agriculture, Food, Commerce & Industry and Central Agencies dealing with these commodities attended the meeting.

The focus was on completion of the process of disposal of seized pulses back in the market by the States. The Cabinet Secretary said that it should be completed at the earliest. In this regard, Shri Sinha directed to the Central and State procurement agencies/organizations to participate in the auction for the disposal of the seized pulses. 

State Governments informed that perceptible decline in the prices of pulses has been registered and further moderation is expected because of arrivals of new crops and release of seized commodities. Regarding prices of tomatoes, they said recent rise in the prices is due to inclement weather in some parts of the states and soon situation will improve. 

The Cabinet Secretary asked the agencies of ministries of Food and Agriculture to step up operations for procurement of pulses. He said in this regard daily reporting system should be evolved immediately.