Government today said pulses prices have fallen by an average Rs 20 per kg following raids on hoarders and the rates would ease further with the arrivals of kharif crops.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today chaired a high-level meeting to review the prices of essential commodities ahead of the festive season. He asked the Agriculture as well as Food & Consumer Affairs ministries to boost procurement of pulses for creation of buffer stock.
"The finance minister emphasised the importance of ensuring adequate availability of essential commodities and taking proactive steps to hold the price line at reasonable levels," an official statement said.
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Following the sustained de-hoarding operations undertaken, the government said, the wholesale and retail prices of pulses have moderated in the last two weeks.
"On an average, prices across the country have declined by about Rs 20 per kg," the statement said.
With the ongoing market arrivals of urad dal and arrival of the new crop of arhar dal expected in early December, the "prices would ease further".
The supply situation would further improve when 1.3 lakh tonnes of pulses seized in the states come into the retail market.
"Jaitley directed the Secretaries of the Departments of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Affairs to remain vigilant, work closely with the states and take immediate measures, including stepping up procurement of pulses, enhancing and building up of buffer stocks," the statement said.
The minister asked all the related departments to ensure that the common citizen has access to adequate supplies of essential commodities in the ensuing months, especially during the festive season.
