The government on Monday decreased the import duty on Masur dal to zero and divided the Agriculture Infrastructure Development Cess on the lentil to 10 per cent to raise domestic supply and check rising prices.
Information in this regard was tabled in the Rajya Sabha by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The FinMin said that the essential customs duty had been reduced from 10 per cent to zero on Masur dal originated in or exported from countries other than the US. Also, the vital customs duty has been reduced from 30 per cent to 20 per cent on Masur dal originating in or exported from the US. The Agriculture Infrastructure Development Cess Masur dal has been decreased to 10 per cent, she added.

The retail price of masoor dal has increased by 30 per cent to Rs 100 per kg now from Rs 70 per kg on April 1 as per the data maintained by the consumer affairs ministry. India Grains and Pulses Association (IGPA) Vice Chairman Bimal Kothari had said early this month that, “India annually needs 25 million tonnes of pulses. But this year, we are assuming a shortage.” The government had proposed the Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC) on specific items, like petrol, diesel, gold and some imported agricultural products to promote agriculture infrastructure.