Cuttack, April 19: The Malgodown Chamber of Commerce Monday urged the people not to panic about report of a hike in the prices of pulses.
Describing it as a ‘rumour,’ told newsmen, after a meeting convened by the district collector Nirmal Chandra Mishra at the collectorate here, joint secretary of the Malgodown Chamber of Commerce Prafulla Chhatoi said the collector had called the traders to ascertain the veracity of the reports on hike in the prices of pulses as reported in some newspapers.
He said the traders’ body has assured the district administration of ensuring a control on the prices as there was enough stock of pulses in the Malgodown.
He however admitted, there has been a marginal rise in the price of some pulses in the last two weeks and the newsreports were exaggerated.
“The fact remains that the prices of pulses is more or less steady in the state. At present, the sale price of pulses is Rs 140 per kg. Though the traders are importing pulses from agencies outside the state at these prices, the sale price in Odisha is Rs 136-Rs 138 per kg depending on the quality. The traders are selling the pulses to the consumers at this price since the agencies have agreed to sell as per the old rate,” he pointed out.
He, however, added that the traders will be forced to sell at a higher price if the prices are hiked by the concerned agencies.
“Neither the state government and nor the traders’ body have any control over the prices of pulses. The unusual hike in the prices of pulses is due to poor harvest in the country this year. Since the Centre has asked the agencies to keep a minimum stock of pulses to meet the requirement of the states, there is no scope for traders in Odisha to import pulses with expected quantities,” he said.
District collector said the administration has engaged a marketing inspector to keep a watch on the prices of all edible products, including pulses, in the Malgodown.
He as per the traders’ body the concerned agencies at times sell pulses through e-auction, pushing pulses price up in the process and forcing them to sell the product at a higher rate.
Mishra said the toor dal (Harada dali) of different varieties are sold at Rs 124-Rs145 per kg, green gram (Muga dali) at Rs 85-Rs 95, yellow peas (Buta dali) at Rs 73-Rs 80, black gram (Biri dali) at Rs 145-170 and red lentil (Masura dali) at Rs 75-Rs 80.
He also informed that the price of tur dal is likely to go up as the Central government, under its new mandi system, has increased the price up to Rs 1300 per quintal. “The price is likely to grow up after the new consignment arrives in Odisha,” he added.
The collector said the traders have been asked to inform the administration about the purchase price and wholesale price of pulses on a daily basis.
