Government may cut tur stock limit by 50-100 tn to check price rise, says source
Informist, Thursday, Sep 14, 2023
By Arunima Bharadwaj and Sayantan Sarkar
NEW DELHI – The government is likely to reduce the stock limit on tur dal for millers by 50-100 tn to check rise in prices and ensure availability of stock in the domestic market, an official from the consumer affairs ministry told Informist today.
"The government may reduce stock limit on tur, given that wholesalers and millers are not disclosing their total stocks," the source said. The stock limit for tur may be decreased by 50-100 tn, the source said, adding that the decision is likely to have a positive impact.
In June, the government had imposed a stock limit of 200 tn each on tur and urad for wholesalers till Oct 31 to prevent hoarding and improve affordability for consumers.
Meanwhile, imports from African countries like Mozambique, Tanzania and Malawi have started arriving in the markets. The country imported around 40,000 tn of tur in August, the official said. "So far in September, we have imported around 12,000 tn of tur, and it is expected to cross 40,000 tn this month."
Earlier, the government had said that it will import 1.2 mln tn tur in fiscal year 2023-24 (Apr-Mar), up 35% from 890,000 tn imported last year, due to low availability of the pulse.
"We aim to import around 1.1 mln tn of tur this financial year. However, it is doubtful if the government will be able to achieve that," the source said. Usually, 800,000 tn of tur is imported by India every year, according to the source.
As of Friday, farmers have sown pulses across 12.0 mln ha in 2023-24 (Jul-Jun) kharif season, down 9% on year, data from farm ministry showed. Tur acreage has fallen by 6% to 4.3 mln ha as of Friday, according to the data.
Sowing of pulses has been hit this season because of erratic rainfall in key growing regions, which made farmers shift to other remunerative crops such as soybean and small millets in hope of better returns.
Rains have been deficient in August, which has affected sowing of pulses, the source said. "Moreover, even with good rainfall this month, planted crops may not mature on time," he added.
August was the driest month since 1901 with 36?ficient rains, according to the India Meteorological Department.
The all-India average retail prices of tur have risen to 144 rupees per kg, up 29% since January, according to data from the Department of Consumer Affairs. Tur prices in the retail markets are up 4% on month currently. End
