Taking no chance this year the govt. at the center has ensured supply of about 13,000 MT imported pulses in the country while delivery of about 6,000 MT pulses is in the pipeline.
This was informed during the inter-ministerial committee meeting held to review prices of essential commodities. The meeting was chaired by Secretary Consumer Affairs, Hem Pande.
It has been a familiar refrain even in social media that the Modi govt has failed to curb retail inflation and the stratospheric cost of dal has been the butt of jokes.
The State Governments have been urged repeatedly to seek allocation of pulses from the buffer stock to sell at reasonable prices not exceeding Rs. 120 /kg. The Tamil Nadu, Andhra, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Telangana have been allocated some quantities on their requests.
Tamil Nadu, Andhra and Telangana are reportedly further subsidizing the prices for the benefit of consumers.
In Delhi, Kendriya Bhandar and Safal have been allocated pulses to sell through their outlets. So far 635.31 quintals Tur and 245 quintals Urad have been sold by these agencies at Rs 120/kg.