Odisha demands exclusion of pulses from NCDEX listing

Amid the recent spike in prices of different varieties of pulses, the state government has made a plea to the Government of India to exclude toor dal, channa dal and urad dal from the product listing of National Commodity & Derivative Exchange Ltd (NCDEX) for the next six months or till the arrival of new crop.

"Since NCDEX is dealing with determination of future price of pulses, the element of speculation might be there. To reduce speculation, these commodities may be excluded from the NCDEX listing for next six months or till the next crops arrive", M S Padhee, secretary (food supplies & consumer welfare) wrote to secretary, Union ministry of consumer affairs, food & public distribution.

Pointing out that pulses are important food commodities consumed by all sections of the people, Padhee said there was need to control their prices.

Prices of different varieties of dal- toor, moong, gram, urad and masoor have recorded a spurt of 40 per cent compared to last year. Also, there has been a sharp appreciation in their prices in the last 15 days.

Odisha being a consuming state, it imports most of its pulses from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Chhatisgarh to meet the demand of the consumers. The escalation in pulses prices has dealt a body blow to the consumers in the state.

Padhee opined that the supply position of pulses has deteriorated due to unseasonal rains and the country is resorting to imports in a big way to meet the shortfall.

"It is requested that appropriate authority of Government of India may be assigned the task to ensure that the information of landing prices of imported pulses be disseminated on regular basis across the country to control the undue profit making by the importers", Padhee suggested in the letter.

Prices of all varieties of pulses have moved up by Rs 10-12 a kg over a week. Retail prices of toor dal and moong dal are ruling above Rs 100 per kg in the state.

Trade sources said, the damage to pulses crops by unseasonal rains and the dependence on imports has pushed up prices.

Sensing hoarding by unscrupulous traders, Padhee has instructed all district collectors to convene a meeting of traders and ensure availability of pulses at reasonable margin over cost, transport and taxes. He has also called for action against hoarders by booking them under Essential Commodities Act and on grounds of violation of stock holding limits orders.

The civil supplies and market intelligence functionaries at field level have been asked to inspect prices of pulses at both wholesale and retail markets till return of normalcy in price situation.