NEW DELHI: Tur dal, the humble lentil among Indian households, levitated to a five-year high at Rs 200 per kg on Monday. This is despite government’s efforts to boost pulses supply and contain its price rise. As per the data maintained by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, in the past five years, retail tur prices were between Rs 74 and 85 per kg. Till last week, tur dal was available at Rs 185 per kg in the retail market.
The increase in tur dal prices also comes a day after the government withdrew exemptions of stock limits on pulses by four categories namely, importers, exporters, licensed food processors and large departmental stores. Besides, stock limits on traders already exist.
Similarly, urad dal is retailing high at Rs 170 per kg though it fell from Rs 187 per kg last week, but rates are still way higher than last year's Rs 98 per kg.
Owing to fall in domestic production, retail prices of tur and urad dal nearly doubled to Rs 190 per kg each from Rs 85 per Rs 100 per kg respectively a year ago. Pulses production fell by about 2 MT to 17.20 MT in 2014-15 crop year (July-June) due to deficient monsoon and unseasonal rains.
To provide relief to the common man, the government is selling imported tur at subsidised rates in Delhi via 400 Kendriya Bhandar and Mother Dairy's Safal outlets. These government outlets have sold over 200 quintals at Rs 120 per kg in last four days. "Over 100 outlets of Kendriya Bhandar and Safal sold over 200 quintals of arhar dal in Delhi at Rs 120 per kg during last 4 days," an official spokesperson tweeted on Monday.
In September, prices of pulses shot up sharply at 38.6 per cent and dragged retail inflation to 4.41 per cent. The government had initiated measures such as imports and curbs on hoarding, in order to improve domestic supply.
MMTC Bid to Boost Tur Dal Supply
The state-owned MMTC has imported 5,000 tonnes of tur dal and floated revised tenders for import of 2,000 tonnes of chickpeas and is planning to float fresh bids for overseas purchase of additional tur dal to boost supply. The Centre has also asked all state governments to take the subsidised imported pulses from MMTC and supply in their states to reduce prices.
Govt to import 3k tonnes pulses
The Centre on Monday decided to import additional 3,000 tonnes of lentils to control rising rates and asked the state governments to take strict action against hoarders. The Cabinet Secretary reviewed the prices, production, procurement and availability of pulses in a meeting with secretaries of Consumer Affairs, Agriculture, Commerce and other ministries. A video conference was also held with the Chief Secretaries of all the states.