Government offloads over 4,660 tonnes of pulses in open market in five states

The government has offloaded over 4,660 tonnes of pulses in the open market in five states. These offloaded pulses are part of 1.33 lakh tonnes seized from hoarders in raids across India. This move by government will help boost availability and bring down dal prices. The prices of lentils are continuing to rule higher up to Rs 190 per kg in most retail markets.

Five states/union territories -- Delhi, Odisha, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh -- had seized about 35,761 tonnes of pulses, of which 4,660 tonnes have been disposed in the market in these states. About 371.03 tonnes of lentils have been offloaded through auction process in Karnataka, while the rest through other options in Delhi (8.13 tonnes), Chattisgarh (1,489.06 tonnes), Odisha (1402.16 tonnes) and Madhya Pradesh (1390.30 tonnes).

The prices of dal have risen this year sharply as production fell to 17.20 million tonnes in 2014-15 crop year due to poor rains, against 19.25 million tonnes in the previous year.