India, Oct. 20 -- The Union government is facing growing demands from states for tur and chana supplies as prices rise, even as it seeks to preserve its 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 said.

The official added that larger states, especially in southern India, have sought over 100,000 tonnes of tur each. The Union government would not be able to meet demands of this scale while preserving stocks for future requirements, the official said.

The consumer affairs ministry h...