The sharp rise in prices of pulses added to the burden of inflation being faced by Indian citizens. The government attributed this to shortage in the global market and increased prices across the major producing countries.
Gap between Availability and Demand
Minister of state for agriculture Sanjeev Balyan said that less production last year led to the gap between availability and demand.
However, the agriculture ministry officials refuted charges of delay on their part in importing arhar and urad. “The decision to import arhar and urad was taken in June. Bidding process started quickly and the imported lentil is already available,” said a government official.
Impact on Common Man
Prices of pulses, which have been rising since a year, still continue to move in the upward direction. This has hit the budget of the common man and hoteliers hard.
Piling on the agony is the prices of onion, which have not still reached a comfortable level. A kg of good quality onions costs Rs 50.
