 "Government in overdrive to rein in prices of pulses")
The central government claimed on Wednesday that retail and wholesale prices of pulses had begun falling in about 20 cities, even as the amount seized in continuing raids on alleged hoarders has reached almost 100,000 tonnes.
Also, state governments have decided to sell both the confiscated pulses and other amounts purchased at Rs 120-140 a kg through various retail networks.
“In the endeavour to make pulses available at reasonable prices, several states continued their enforcement action against hoarding and black-marketing. Over 15,000 tonnes have been seized on Wednesday, taking the total quantity seized to over 98,000 tonnes,” said an official statement.
The government has asked states to sell this entire stock in the markets in the next one week, hopefully leading to further lowering of prices in the retail markets ahead of Diwali.
Four state governments have started selling tur dal (pigeon pea) at a lower price of Rs 120-145 a kg at retail points. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are distributing a kg of tur at Rs 50 through ration shops. Tamil Nadu is selling urad (black gram) and Canadian lentils at Rs 30 a kg.
Prices have risen across the country due to a shortfall in domestic output by two million tonnes in 2014-15. There is also a global shortage.
