Ahead of Diwali, Maha to sell Chana dal at Rs 70 per kg

The Maharashtra government has decided to sell chana dal, main ingredient in festival delicacies, at Rs 70 per kg starting Friday, a top official said today.
"We got the permission from Union government on October 18, but we needed some time to finalise the chana dal supplying agency and place the requirement. All the procedures are finalised and with fixed rate at Rs 70 per kg, we will start procurement.
"The packing and distribution would take another two days to reach the dal in retail shops. Hence, before Diwali, the dal would be in the market, for sure," Mahesh Pathak, Principal Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies, told PTI.

A Government Resolution (GR) was released today regarding the Chana dal price.
"The state government is going to release some 700 tons of chana dal into the market. Release of dal at such controlled price is meant to keep a check on the dal prices ahead of festival season," he said.
According to the GR, NeML NCDEX Group Company will be the supply agency for chana dal (Split Bengal Gram).
The district supply officers should place their order with the supply agency, whereas the retail shop owners, who would be selling chana dal, should submit a certificate with government, confirming that they have received quality supply of chana dal, the GR stated.