The common man who is already grappling with rising inflation now will have to shell out more money for purchasing Tur Dal.
There has been a sharp rise in the prices of pulses like Tur Dal, Moong Dal, Chana Dal, Urad Dal, Masoor Dal due to deficient monsoon in the state. Prices of Tur Dal have risen drastically and have already reached Rs 200 per kg. The common man who is already grappling with rising inflation now will have to shell out more money for purchasing Tur Dal. Thus Dal rice which is known as the poor man’s diet has become unaffordable for the common man. Rising prices of pulses is also affecting the bottomlines of hotels.
Moong Dal is selling at Rs 150 to Rs 170, Chana Dal Rs 80 to Rs 100, Urad Dal Rs 160 to Rs 170 and Masoor Dal costing Rs 100 to Rs 110 at APMC Vashi. Tur Dal is cultivated in districts like Latur, Sholapur and Marathwada region of the state. Maharashtra is the second highest producer of Tur dal in the country. Since the new crop is expected to arrive in January hence people will have to bear the brunt of rising prices of pulses. In order to address the shortfall the government will have to import pulses. If the government reduces the import duty on pulses then it will provide some relief to the common man.
Rising pulse prices continue to pinch the pocket of a common man. Last one month has seen record rise in prices of pulses. And adding to the woes and worries of citizens already burdened with inflation, traders predict further rise in pulse prices with festive season round the corner.
“The drought, coupled with recurring hailstorm had adversely hit overall food production. Production was worst hit due to climate changes and poor rainfall,” Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Eknath Khadse said.
Few months back the Maharashtra government had written to the Centre seeking assistance to keep the spiralling price of pulses, specially tur dal, under control. A letter was sent to Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh about the sharp increase in prices of cereals and pulses.
Production of pulses in Marathwada and parts of Vidarbha, areas worst hit by drought, had been already affected. The recurring unseasonal rainfall had damaged pulses and cereals like jowar, bajra in the state.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, said there was enough food grain stock though pulses were a matter of concern. He added that prices of pulses were rising across the country.
He added, “There is no reason to panic. There is adequate food grain stock. Yes, prices of pulses are going up…”
“After onions now pulses like Tur Dal, Urad Dal and Masoor Dal has become expensive. How will the common man make both ends meet? If prices continue to rise in this manner then we will have reduce the consumption of Tur Dal” said Rupali Kadam a housewife from Kandivali.
“Rising prices of pulses has become a major cause of concern for us. If an essential commodity like Tur Dal becomes dearer then it will affect our monthly budget. Why can’t the government control inflation instead of focussing on irrelevant issues? said Arpita Singh a Borivali resident.
“Continuous increase in the prices of pulses has badly affected the pockets of common man. This will definitely hit our expense plans this festive season,” said Hemant Jadhav, a resident of Malad.
“We love to eat ‘dal’ every day, but now have been replacing it with vegetables. It is always better to have two varieties of vegetables, rather going for the costly dal. Moreover, fresh vegetables are available at a very reasonable price these days,” said Malti Deshmukh a Borivali resident.
