Government mulls making tur dal available in ration shops

People, peeved with spiralling cost of tur dal (pigeon pea), may be finally able to get it at cheaper rates. To control the rising rates of the pulses, the state government is planning to make it available on ration shops across the state.

Speaking with The Asian Age, food and civic supplies minister Girish Bapat said, “The issue of making tur dal available on the public distribution system was discussed in the recently held meeting of agriculture and marketing departments. However, a final decision is yet to be taken.”

“We have to take into account issues like availability, price of imported tur, distribution system, transport, commission of ration shops etc. The fresh crop of tur dal has also arrived. All these things will be considered before deciding on the final cost so that we will be able to provide at least 1.5 to 2 kg tur dal to every family in a month at cheaper rates,” he added.

To overcome the shortage of tur dal, the Centre has imported it from Africa. According to state officials, the African tur dal costs Rs 80-90 per kg. But, about 30 per cent of produce goes waste while polishing.

The state government has received a lot of flak due to its failure to control the sky-rocketing prices of pulses. Tur dal, in some retail markets, had reached a historic high of '180 per kg in the state a couple of months ago. Despite assurances from the state government to bring down the rates, they have continued to be high in the open market.

The issue of rising rates of tur dal was raised by the Congress legislator Dipti Chaudhari in the state legislative council. She alleged that the pulse prices in the state have increased due to the failure of the state government to take adequate measures. The state government should make a buffer stock of pulses as there is every possibility that pulse prices would increase next year too, she said.

Congress’ Husna Banu Khalife said despite the state government releasing 1.12 lakh tonnes of tur dal, which was seized from hoarders, the rates have failed to come down.

Replying to them, Mr Bapat in his written statement said that the food production in the state has gone down owing to the drought situation in the state. As supply to the market has been reduced, rates have gone up. The state government is contemplating to draft a regulation act to control the prices of pulses.

To control the rates of tur dal, edible oil, edible seeds and other pulses, the state government has formed a price monitoring committee to prepare an action plan in this regard, he added.