New Delhi, Oct. 21 -- The Centre is facing growing demands from states for split pigeon peas (tur) and chickpeas (chana) supplies as prices rise, even as it seeks to preserve its pulses buffer to use in domestic markets to bring down retail prices. "States are demanding pulses - tur and chana. But our directive is to store and save the buffer. Our function is not to give states our buffer for their welfare schemes but to intervene in retail markets when necessary," a government official told HT. According to the official, larger states especially in southern India have sought over 100,000 tonnes of tur each. The official said the Centre would not be able to meet demands of this scale while preserving stocks for future requirements. The cons...