 "Government in overdrive to rein in prices of pulses")
The Central government has sought full information from the state governments of Haryana, Delhi and the head of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on sale of adulterated arhar (tur) pulses in some parts of Gurgaon.
The details have been sought following reports that traders in some parts of Gurgaon which borders the National Capital of Delhi are mixing a banned variety of arhar (commonly known as 'khesari' and known to cause paralysis of the lower body and numbness in limbs and spine) with common arhar and selling it to consumers at lower rates.
The adulteration is being done as 'khesari' is a much cheaper variety of arhar and was once used as cattle feed. It was banned in 1960s following complaints that it caused paralysis and limb diseases including some severe ones like 'Elephantiasis.' Traders, reports said are mixing 'khesari' pulses with normal variety of pulses after prices soared to over Rs 200 per kilogram in some markets, due to low harvest.
'Khesari' costs just around Rs 40-50 per kilogram, which when mixed with normal lowers its price to around Rs 100 per kilogram.The adulterated pulses are being sold in those areas of Gurgaon, which is mostly occupied by migrant labours from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
"The matter has been discussed and we are seeking full details from the concerned state governments and also FSSAI," the official said. In the past month, prices of pulses had touched Rs 210 a kg. It had ruled above Rs 150 a kg for some time. The price of tomato had also nearly doubled and touched Rs 60 a kg. The Centre imposed stock limit on importers, big processors and traders alleging that the price rise was unnatural due to hoarding.
It conducted nationwide raids on pulses importers and seized over 130,000 tonnes of illegally seized pulses, the maximum from Maharashtra. The prices have thereafter softened in the retail market.
In 2013-14 (July to June), India produced 19.20 million tonnes of pulses, which fell to 17.38 million tonnes in 2014-15.
The Centre expects production in 2015-16 to be around 18.32 million tonnes.
