The states were exhorted to carryout surprise inspections and raids to prevent hoarding of pulses. In return, they offered to supply one lakh kg of tur dal per day at Rs 135 a kilogram. “Decrease in retail prices has also been seen in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh”, the statement said.
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Importers of pulses have sought exemption from stock holding limit saying prices will come down only when there is smooth availability of imported Dal. IPGA also stated that the import of pulses could be hampered by the re-instated stock limits.
“As a result of action taken by the states there has been a decrease of about Rs. 200 per quintal in the mandi (market) rates of pulses in Mumbai and also in future trading of chana“, the ministry said in a statement.
The government has now made a decision to build a 40,000-tonne buffer stock of pulses at a cost of Rs 400 crore, from the kharif harvest that will start in November.
In the wake of spiralling prices of pulses, the NDA government had asked all chief secretaries to launch a massive de-hoarding operation to ensure that pulses are easily available to common people. Several states are lifting pulses that have been imported. Earlier, the state had imposed a limit of 100 tonnes on stockists, processors and wholesalers, and five tonnes on retailers. Traders say if Maharashtra relaxes the limit for importers, the amount lying at the port could immediately enter the market and bring down prices. “Any kind of restriction will dry the pipeline”, he said. In the 2014-15 crop year (July-June), consumption of pulses in the country was estimated at 23 mt, against an estimated production of 17 mt.
Pulses worth around Rs 125 crore, which were hoarded in various godowns in Thane, have been seized by the Thane Police and Supplies department. In the past three months, tur prices have doubled to Rs 180-220 a kg across the country. Total 3,149 raids have been conducted by the states after the amendment in the Central Order under Essential Commodities Act.
Since October 18, a day the Centre announced stock limits, the prices of pulses have moderated 10-15 per cent in both the spot and futures markets.
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In the national capital, urad and its dal chilka local fell by Rs 200 each to Rs 9,300-10,300 and Rs 10,300-10,500 per quintal, respectively.
