Rising prices of pulses finds echo in RS

Congress said that pulses are the staple diet of the poor and its hoarding by MNCs is having a direct effect on them

The rising prices of pulses had their echo in the Rajya Sabha with a Congress member demanding effective steps to ensure that the prices are brought down.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Ananda Bhaskar Rapolu (Congress) said the pulses are the staple diet of the poor and its hoarding by MNCs is having a direct effect on the poor people of the country.

"Pulses and cereals are staples of the poor of the nation and the globe and is attracting the attention of all. The skyrocketing prices of pulses is having a direct impact of the hoarding by multi-national corporate houses and depriving the health of the poor," he said.

Rapolu disputed the government's claim that it has confiscated and dehoarded 40,000 tonnes of pulses, wondering why the prices have not fallen.

"Union government has proudly announced that about 40,000 tonnes of dal and other pulses have been confiscated and put in open market, but the prices have not come down. Why they could not enable fall of prices of dal. This is attracting attention of people of the nation and are worried," he said.

He said if hoarded pulses are unloaded, prices should have come down. "But prices have not fallen. Why?

Another Congress member Vijay Jawaharlal Darda raised the issue of theft of ancient idols and ornaments from various Jain temples across the country from time to time.

"The ancient idols from jain temples have been stolen from time to time," he said, asking why effective steps have not been taken.

Citing various examples, he said a 2,600 year-old idol of Lord Mahavir was recently stolen but effective and early steps taken have helped in its recovery. He asked why idols and jewellery from jain temples were being stolen and why steps were not taken to protect the ancient idols.