Govt likely to intervene to arrest tur dal prices

The Karnataka government today discussed measures to contain the soaring prices of tur dal, as it has breached the Rs 100 per kg mark in the market.

However, the meeting, chaired by chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, could not arrive at any decision.

A suggestion mooted by food department officials for distribution of tur dal through PDS was not favoured considering the costs involved in it, official sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said. The production of tur dal in Karnataka has drastically come down as growers have shifted to other crops in parts of North Karnataka region.

According to officials the area under tur dal cultivation has slumped to about three lakh acres from six lakh acres.

The meeting was attended by minister for food and civil supplies H Halappa and officials from finance and food department.