Tur prices have fallen slightly in Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad by up to Rs 12 per kg, the government today said.
However, according to Consumer Affairs Ministry data, tur dal prices have declined from the peak of Rs 200, but are still ruling high at Rs 180. The modal price of tur remained high at Rs 140.
"Following several measures of Government of India, prices of pulses have begun to register a decline," an official statement said.
Retail tur prices have declined by Rs 12 per kg to Rs 153 in Chennai in the last one week, by Rs 10 to Rs 128 in Ahmedabad, by Rs 6 to Rs 160 in Mumbai, by Rs 2 to Rs 164 in Delhi in the said period, it said.
Similarly, urad prices have declined by Rs 13 to Rs 170 in Chennai and by Rs 4 to Rs 148 in Delhi in the period under the review.
"Visible decline in the prices of pulses is also a result of release of about 6,000 tonnes seized pulses into the retail market in the states like Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh," it added.
The government said its efforts are now focused on ensuring that in Maharashtra, where as much as 87,000 tonnes of pulses, were seized during dehoarding operations are brought to the retail market.
"Maharashtra government has taken steps for the auction of 13,000 tonnes of tur and urad dal from the traders of BMC area. Instructions have also been issued to district officers of other districts in Maharashtra where pulses have been seized to complete the process to bring it back to retail market at the earliest," it said.
The process is expected to gain momentum this week. Meanwhile, with the commencement of arrival of new crop of urad and the expected arrival of tur in the next two weeks, both FCI and NAFED have geared themselves up to undertake procurement of pulses for building a buffer stock, it added.
It may be recalled that as a result of demand and supply mismatch, the prices of tur and urad had shown an increase. The government continued to closely monitor the availability and prices of essential commodities, especially pulses, edible oil and vegetables, the statement said.
According to the government, "Over all trends indicate prices of pulses and onions have declined, and prices of all other commodities have remained stable across the country."
Prices of tomatoes have increased due to inclement weather in some major producing states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra. "This is expected to ease with the arrival of the new crop," it added.
