Transport strike hits prices of commodities in MP

The countrywide transporters strike has hit commodities such as pulses and has led to a rise in wholesale prices in Madhya Pradesh in the past few days.

The countrywide transporters strike has hit commodities such as pulses and has led to a rise in wholesale prices in Madhya Pradesh in the past few days.

The prices of pulses have gone up in past few days due to low arrivals. (Shankar Mourya/HT photo)

The wholesale price of tur dal has climbed up to Rs 155 per kg while urad is selling at Rs 140 per kg and chana at Rs 62 per kg.

“The prices of pulses have gone up in past few days due to low arrivals amid news of fall in Kharif production due to deficient rains,” said wholesale trader Ramesh Khandelwal.

The prices of some pulses have doubled as compared to last year, when tur dal was in the range of Rs 70 per kg in retail stores.

Traders say the present output of pulses is about 10% less than it was last year. The shortfall will now need to be filled with imports, which will cause the rates of imported pulses to skyrocket.

Traders are expecting that a fresh crop of moong dal, due for arrival in a fortnight, may help cool the prices. “The moong acreage has gone up so it is hoped that people will shift to moong dal,” Khandelwal said.

Meanwhile, transporters operating petroleum tankers have also warned of joining the agitation from Monday. According to Indore petrol dealers association secretary Paras Jain, the retail petrol pumps have stocks for the next three days.

Truck operators in Indore had joined the nationwide strike called by the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) for scrapping of toll collection plazas across the country.

The strike entered into its fourth day on Sunday, disrupting the supply of goods across the country. However, the supply of essential goods such as milk, vegetables and medicines has been kept out of the purview of the indefinite strike.