| Date: |
11-05-2015 |
| Subject: |
Govt looks for ways to check rising price of pulses |
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NEW DELHI: Rising price of pulses across the country is becoming a major issue for the government. Both wholesale and retail prices have been rising month after month and the problem is likely to get bigger because of expected fall in this year's production. Sources said the government is looking into all options including increasing import of pulses and also to continue the current policy of zero duty on import of the key food item.
"We have had a few rounds of discussion. The situation is bad and we have to find ways to increase supply of more pulses in the domestic market. Though all aspects of the issue have been discussed, no decision has been taken yet," a government official said. TOI has learnt that the agriculture ministry recently held review meetings which were attended by officials from other ministries.
The data available with the price monitoring cell of consumer affairs ministry shows that prices have increased substantially, even up to 60-70% in comparison to prices last year. For example, urad dal was selling at Rs 95 a kg on May 8 in comparison to Rs 53 last year.
Sources said prices are going up due to several factors including reduction in domestic production, supply constraint, which has also been impacted by fall in production in Myanmar, Australia and New Zealand. India largely imports pulses from these countries.
Late monsoon last year and unseasonal rains this year have adversely impacted domestic production as well. Rough estimates suggest that there is likely to be less production to the tune of 10 lakh tonnes, which may push prices further.
Sensing that importers of pulses may indulge in profit making, Odisha government has written to consumer affairs ministry to assign the task to appropriate authority to ensure that the information of landing prices of imported pulses be disseminated on a regular basis across the country.
Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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