New Delhi, Sep 25 (NationPress) The Supreme Court has decided to review a public interest litigation (PIL) that contests the Union government's choice to permit unrestricted imports of yellow peas.

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan, and N.K. Singh issued a notice requesting responses from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) along with the Union Ministries of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Commerce and Industry, and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution regarding this issue.

The PIL, submitted by Kisan Mahapanchayat, aims to compel the Centre to impose limits on yellow pea imports to safeguard that domestic selling prices remain at or above the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Alternatively, the petition seeks a ban on yellow pea imports, as recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) under the Ministry of Agriculture, to protect Indian farmers and enhance domestic production.

It argues that the policy permitting unrestricted yellow pea imports jeopardizes the livelihoods of Indian farmers and undermines national objectives for self-reliance in pulse production.

The plea states, "The recurring notifications permitting unrestricted imports of yellow peas are inflicting significant losses on Indian farmers, adversely impacting their livelihoods. Following the removal of all restrictions, the unprecedented influx of yellow peas into India has led to a drastic drop in domestic prices below the MSP, disincentivizing Indian farmers from pulse production."

Additionally, the plea, filed through advocate Neha Rathi, pointed out that the influx of yellow pea imports, estimated at 2.9 million tonnes in 2024, has driven domestic pulse prices below the MSP.

It noted that imported yellow peas are priced at around Rs 3,500 per quintal, significantly lower than the MSP for Indian pulses such as tur/arhar (Rs 8,000), moong (Rs 8,768), and urad (Rs 7,800).

The plea further emphasized that given the alarming rate of yellow pea imports and the resulting market distortions, the CACP, an expert body that also recommends MSP to the Government and operates under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, recommended a complete ban on further yellow pea imports in its report dated March 2025.

It referred to the CACP's findings, underscoring that extensive yellow pea imports have adversely influenced the domestic pulse market and prices, thereby negatively impacting Indian farmers.

The PIL has urged the apex court to overturn the Centre's decision to allow unrestricted yellow pea imports to restore equilibrium in the domestic pulse market and shield Indian farmers from further financial distress.