The government has reduced the import duty on masoor dal by 20 per cent till October-end to boost the availability of the lentil in the domestic market during the festive season.

The import duty on masoor dal has been reduced to 10 per cent from 30 per cent from countries other than the US. In the case of the US, the duty has been brought down to 30 per cent from 50 per cent.

Bimal Kothari, vice-chairman of the Indian Pulses & Grains Association, said the government should have a consistent import policy. He said the duty cut announced in June benefitted foreign farmers and traders as the global prices of lentil rose after India reduced the import duty.

The country imported about 25 lakh tonnes of pulses last fiscal of which 8.5 lakh tonnes were lentil. The import of lentil is seen to rise to 10 lakh tonnes this fiscal although the overall shipments might come down to 20 lakh tonnes.