The central government on Tuesday discussed a number of issues related to pulses with the industry body Retailers Association of India (RAI). The meeting, which was chaired by Consumer Affairs Secretary, Nidhi Khare, included major organized chains and brought together the concerns of retailers including the trend of large pulses. This development comes at a time when the country has entered the festive season, which is characterized by the overflow of shopping needs in all sectors.
The association, which represents the interests of online and offline retailers in the country, has sought government action to contain the prices of such goods in a reasonable range.
There has been an estimated 10% drop in the wholesale prices of tur and urad in the past three months, however prices have not seen the same trend, highlighted the Secretary of Consumer Affairs.
The official also pointed out the different trends between the wholesale prices of mandi and the retail prices, which shows the increase in the unnecessary restrictions that the sellers take out of the market. The methods are being followed closely and necessary steps will be initiated if the differences are found to be increasing, he said.
Sowing area dedicated to kharif pulses has been recorded nearly 7 percent higher than last year with good conditions, added the Consumer Affairs Secretary.
“Kharif urad and moong have started arriving in the markets while imports of tur and urad from East African countries and Myanmar are slowly coming in to boost domestic production. The comfortable domestic supply situation is also evident due to the fact that the number of pulses stock has been disclosed by major traders on the disclosure portal. The stock of the Department of Consumer Affairs has been rising every week,” the official said.
Food cooperatives NAFED and NCCF will engage in activities such as registration and distribution of seeds with farmers for the upcoming rabi season.
The Consumer Affairs Secretary has asked the retail industry to extend all possible support to the government in its efforts to ensure affordable prices for consumers.
