To boost the availability of pulses in the domestic market and bring down prices of the key protein source, the Centre has decided to import 5,000 additional tonnes of tur (arhar) through MMTC and speed up the process of imports.
(Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution – Ram Vilas Paswan)
(MMTC – Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation of India)
The Government has asked the MMTC to expedite imports of 10,000 tonnes of tur and urad dal that were already in the pipeline. It has assured that first consignment would reach by September 23.
Tur prices are ruling highest in Chennai at Rs 145/kg, at Rs 135/kg in Mumbai and Rs 132/kg in Delhi and Kolkata.
Similarly, Urad is costing more in Chennai at Rs 125/kg, whereas in Mumbai it is available at Rs 121/kg and at Rs 112/kg in Delhi and at Rs 102/kg in Kolkata.
Tur Dal prices are higher by 61% and Urad dal prices by 35% compared to the same time last year.
Reason behind less availability
There is tight supply of pulses in the country because of fall in domestic production to 17.38 million tonnes (MT) in 2014-15 crop year (July-June) from 19.25 MT in the previous crop year, due to poor monsoon.