Arhar dal to lose govt patronage

Following an upward swing in wholesale prices for major pulses, the Delhi government has decided to increase the retail rate for Arhar Dal being sold at Mother Dairy and Kendriya Bhandar outlets across the city.

Following an upward swing in wholesale prices for major pulses, the Delhi government has decided to increase the retail rate for Arhar Dal being sold at Mother Dairy and Kendriya Bhandar outlets across the city.

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The decision was taken during Tuesday’s review meeting. The retail rate for Arhar dal will be Rs 70 per kg, up from the current rate of Rs 62 per kg, sources said. The announcement would be made soon.

However, there would be no increase in retail rates of other pulses sold under the market intervention scheme by Delhi government for the time being. After the arrival of fresh stock about a month ago, low retail prices continued for pulses, especially Arhar dal (tur dal for some).

However, due to increased demand and rise in import cost, clubbed with lesser imports, the wholesale prices increased from Rs 5,600 per quintal on March 3 to Rs 5,700 per quintal on March 27.

The open market prices increased accordingly (ranging from Rs 68 to Rs 80 per kg), according to market data.

This prompted the traders to demand an increase in retail prices under the scheme for Arhar, Urad and Moong among other pulses but the government has for now revised the rate only for Arhar dal, sources added.

The Delhi government, under the market intervention scheme, has facilitated sale of 10 major pulses across more than 400 retail outlets of Mother Dairy, Kendriya Bhandar and National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) across Delhi since February 10.

In contrast, sugar retail price that was more than Rs 50 per kg at the start of 2010 has decline with the retail price hovering around Rs 35-40/kg.