With the Lok Sabha elections looming on the horizon, India finds itself grappling with a shortage of pulses, leading to a surge in prices. In response to this pressing issue, the central government has initiated measures to alleviate the strain on consumers. The Ministry of Consumer Welfare has launched efforts to rein in pulse prices, despite the challenges posed by escalating demand.
Persistent Price Surge
- Despite allowing free import of pulses, prices for essentials like tur, udaid, and masoor continue to soar, burdening consumers across the country.
- The shortage of pulses has been exacerbated by a 15% decrease in domestic production this year, resulting in a significant shortfall in supply.
Government Intervention
- To address the crisis, a central team has been deployed to inspect stocks in major pulse-producing states such as Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Their primary objective is to crack down on hoarding activities, which contribute to price exploitation in the market.
- The government’s efforts are aimed at ensuring fair pricing and preventing undue inflation by curbing hoarding practices and ensuring adequate supply in the market.
Industry Perspectives
- Bimal Kothari, president of the Pulses and Grains Association of India, underscores the necessity of imports to offset the shortfall in domestic production and stabilize prices amidst dwindling stocks.
- Farmers, lured by favorable prices, have sold a significant portion of their pulse produce, further exacerbating the scarcity. A dal grower from Latur emphasizes the acute shortage of pulses, particularly tur, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Proactive Measures
- In light of the escalating price surge, the central government is forming a specialized team to crackdown on hoarders and ensure compliance with regulations. Recent assessments of tur and udi dal availability and pricing have prompted stringent directives against hoarding practices.
- The government’s proactive stance underscores its commitment to addressing the pulse shortage and mitigating the impact of rising prices, particularly in the run-up to the elections.
In Shorts
As the nation grapples with the challenges posed by the pulse shortage and escalating prices, the central government’s proactive measures offer a ray of hope for consumers. By cracking down on hoarding and facilitating imports, authorities aim to stabilize prices and ensure adequate supply, thereby mitigating the burden on citizens ahead of the elections. Despite the challenges posed by decreased production and tight stocks, concerted efforts are underway to address the crisis and alleviate the strain on consumers.
