Pulses seized by state govt to be auctioned

The department carried out raids on several wholesalers and dealers after the prices of pulses hit the roof. The raids resulted in the seizure of 15,000 quintals of tur dal and 7,000 quintals of urad dal whose prices have almost doubled in the last two to three months. The department had initially planned to distribute the seized stock though fair price shops at a minimum price to benefit citizens.

The governments of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have been directly selling tur dal to consumers at '120 per kg through the Public Distribution System (PDS) but not in Karnataka due to logistic problems. Mr Dinesh said the government had put three conditions for the buyers of seized tur and urad dal. Firstly, the buyer has to dispose of the stock within three days from the date of completion of the process. Secondly, the purchased stock should be sold within the State. Thirdly, the stock should not be shifted to other states.

The minister said money earned from the auction will be kept in bank accounts of deputy directors of the district concerned till the cases are disposed of in courts. Money will be released to traders if they prove that the stock was meant for trade and not for hoarding. If they fail, the money will go back to the state treasury. The government will encourage traders or associations to distribute pulses at subsidised rates to consumers. A similar exercise has been planned in Dharwad and Mysuru next week where the grain merchants' associations have resolved to sell tur, urad , green gram and bengal gram at 30 per cent discount.