Central government's plan to import pulses to rein in inflation is continuing with renewed vigour as state-run agencies have contracted imports of 437,000 tonnes of pulses till this week.

According to a food ministry press release, of the total imports, the agencies have contracted deals for 258,000 tonnes of yellow peas, 132,000 tonnes of urad, 15,000 tonnes of moong, and 30,000 tonnes of tur.

In an effort to curb inflation, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on April 12 had approved the import of 1.5 million tonnes pulses by government agencies.

National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India, State Trading Corporation, MMTC and PEC have been asked to detail marketwise and month-wise plans to import 0.75 million tonnes of urad, tur, moong, masur and gram, and 0.75 million tonnes of yellow peas and other pulses.

According to official estimates, around 52,039 tonnes of pulses have already reached the Indian shores. STC floated a tender to import 155,000 tonnes yellow peas on Wednesday seeking delivery during July-November. MMTC and PEC have also been consistently floating pulses import tenders.

Last year, the government had allowed import of pulses at zero duty and banned exports to ensure higher availability. According to government estimates, pulses output in the current crop year till June will be 14.1 million tonnes, lower than the government's target of 15.1 million tonnes.

Prices of pulses have almost doubled since last year on lower output in both domestic and global markets.

The food ministry also said for the week ended May 4, prices of gram and tur remained steady in most centres, while they declined in Delhi, Jaipur, and Shillong.