The Centre on Monday said that State governments had begun distribution of pulses, particularly tur (arhar), at reasonable rates to keep prices in check.
“Distribution of pulses, especially of tur dal, has been taken up by a number of States. The Centre had asked the States to have a meeting with millers, wholesalers and retailers in their area to make pulses available in retail markets at reasonable prices,” said an official statement.
In Gujarat, millers have agreed to supply tur at ₹135/kg with wholesalers charging a 1 per cent commission, while retailers are to sell it at ₹140/kg. Tur rates have been fixed at ₹140/kg for wholesale and ₹145/kg for retail in Jharkhand.
According to the statement, 1 to 2 kg of tur was also being distributed in Chhattisgarh at ₹120-140/kg across 17 districts through 150 outlets. In Uttarakhand, tur was being supplied in Dehradun and two other districts at ₹145/kg, while instructions have been given to start distribution through ration shops.
“Some States have already taken up distribution of pulses through their PDS (public distribution system) outlets. Both in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, 1 kg of tur is being distributed at ₹50/kg for BPL (below poverty line) and AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) families … in Tamil Nadu 1 kg each of urad and lentils (Canadian) is being distributed at ₹30/kg for all,” the statement said.
Similar exercises are being conducted in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh as well.