Importers of pulses have sought exemption from stock holding limit saying prices will come down only when there is smooth availability of imported Dal. In a meeting with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in New Delhi today, they requested him to grant an exemption from the stock limit, as any kind of restriction will dry the pipeline.
The limit was imposed by the Centre recently in the wake of spiraling prices of pulses particularly Arhar and Urad Dal. The importers said that they are ready to provide one thousand quintals of Dal to the government at price of 135 per kilogram. They demanded strict action against the hoarders.
Prices of Pulses have been soaring across the country in the backdrop of low production due to poor monsoon.
Meanwhile, over 50 thousand tonnes of pulses have been recovered during de-hoarding operations across ten states during last 4 to 5 days. The states include Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Haryana and Rajasthan. Over 30 thousand tonnes have been seized in Maharashtra, about 6 thousand tonnes in Karnataka, and 4,500 tonnes in Chhattisgarh.
An official release said, over three thousand raids have been conducted by the States following amendment in the Central Order under Essential Commodities Act. The anti-hoarding measures have led to decrease of prices of about 200 rupees per quintal in mandi rates of pulses in Mumbai and also in future trading of Chana. Decrease in retail prices of pulses has also been reported from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.