Hyderabad: Pulses prices have shot up again after the recent decline from last October's steep rise. The Centre has directed all state governments to ensure tur dal (red gram) is available at less than Rs 120 per kg in the retail market.
The price band in Telangana as on Saturday as per the civil supplies department stood at Rs 138 to Rs 163 per kg. In reality, the market price was Rs 170 to Rs 180 per kg depending on quality.
The current average price of tur dal in state is Rs 147.99, which is Rs 28 more than the price prescribed by the Centre. The Centre on Friday decided to release 10,000 tonnes of pulses, mainly tur and urad, from buffer stocks to all the states. All the state governments have been asked to release stocks available with them and approach the Centre for more stocks.Telangana has decided to seek 1,000 tonnes initially to meet the demand.
“Prices have increased by Rs 50-60 per kg during the last three weeks in retail market. Due to consecutive droughts for the last two years, production has been hit leading to pressure on prices.We have decided to procure additional stocks from the Centre to reduce demand-supply gap and keep prices under control,” said Mr Etela Rajender, minister for civil supplies.The civil supplies and vigilance departments have been asked to conduct raids to check hoarding of stocks by traders, he said. The government is also planning to set up special counters in rythu bazaars across the state to sell tur dal for Rs 120.
