The government has warned retailers about the prices of pulses.
Taking a cue from major retailers in the country, the central government said that if a 4 per cent fall in prices of pulses in wholesale markets has been observed, why are the prices not being reduced at the retail level? The government has said that in the last one month there has been no fall in the retail prices of arhar, urad and gram pulses in proportion to the fall of around four per cent in major wholesale markets.
In such a situation, the government has asked retailers to charge adequate profit margins to provide relief to consumers. The government has warned that it will take strict action against profiteering and speculation by market players. On Tuesday, the Department of Consumer Affairs held a meeting with the Retailers Association of India (RAI) to discuss the price scenario of pulses.
These retailers were present at the meeting.
The meeting chaired by Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, also reviewed compliance with stock limits for pigeon pea and gram. Representatives from RAI, Reliance Retail, D-Mart, Tata Stores, Spencer’s, RSPG and V-Mart participated in the meeting. RAI has over 2,300 members and over 6,000,000 retail outlets across the country. According to a government statement, the Secretary informed that in the last one month, prices of gram, tur and urad have fallen by up to four per cent in major mandis, but no such fall has been observed in retail prices.
Instructions given to retailers.
The statement said they were pointing out divergent trends between wholesale mandi prices and retail prices, suggesting that retailers are earning higher profit margins. Considering the current price scenario and Kharif crop production, Khare asked the retail industry to provide all possible assistance in the government’s efforts to keep pulses prices affordable for consumers. The statement said that the retail industry participants assured that they will make necessary adjustments in their retail margins and maintain them at nominal levels to offer prices to consumers at affordable rates.
measures will be taken
Khare stressed that the stock situation of all stock holding units, including large retail chains, is being closely monitored to ensure that the prescribed limits are not violated. He warned that the government will take strict action against violation of stock limits, dishonest betting and speculation by market traders.
Khare mentioned that pulses sowing is strong in the ongoing Kharif season. The government has made several efforts to increase the production of arhar and urad in the major kharif pulse producing states, besides distributing good quality seeds to farmers through NAFED and NCCF. The Centre’s Agriculture Department is in constant touch with the state Agriculture Departments to provide all necessary assistance.
