Rising pulse of pulses: Aam aadmi’s protein a luxury

By NewsGram Staff Writer

New Delhi: The price of the aam-aadmi proteins is soaring to unexpected heights. While some pulses are selling for over Rs 100 per kg, others are even pricier.

In case of arhar, the overall increase in price of pulses across the country in the past one month is about Rs 30 per kg. Government data shows prices have hiked by Rs 50 per kg between April and September, primarily due to shortage of supply.

Despite various attempts by the government, the cost of pulses have soared up. The prices are expected to remain high till November.

As per the data collected by the price monitoring cell of consumer affairs department, the government's strategy to import both arhar and urad seem to have no effect on the retail prices of these pulses.

"Globally there is shortage in availability of arhar. So, there is no quick relief until the domestic production is available in the market. The prices of all pulses will fall significantly from November onwards when new crop will arrive. People may have to change the consumption pattern. They can consume dals other than arhar since its availability is less. It is even more difficult for government to import arhar since the major food growing nations do not have enough stock," said Pravin Dongre, chairman of India Pulses and Grain Association.

As on Thursday in Puducherry, arhar was selling at maximum price of Rs 155 per kg while Panaji reported urad selling at Rs 138 per kg. While experts in this sector said except for arhar, prices of all other pulses have reduced recently, the government data shows that average prices of urad, moong and masoor have remained the same in the past one month.

Comparing the year-on-year rates, prices of all dals including gram have increased significantly. Gram, which was selling at Rs 46 per kg in September 2014, is now available for Rs 65 per kg. Similarly, prices of arhar, urad, moong and masoor have gone up by Rs 14, Rs 10 and Rs 30 per kg respectively.

However, there is hope of the domestic production increasing in future as the overall Kharif sown area has increased from 97.56 lakh hectares in 2014-15 to 108.37 lakh hectares.