Soaring prices of pulses pinch customers in Odisha; hoarding suspected

While the skyrocketing prices of pulses are pinching the pockets of customers in Odisha, the traders association has attributed hoarding by big corporate houses operating in the retail market as the main reason behind such a rise.

As per reports, the price of arhar dal has increased by Rs 45 per kg in the last three months. While the essential kitchen commodity is being sold at Rs 145 per kg in the wholesale market, it is priced at Rs 160 per kg in the retail market.

Though it is the time of harvest, the soaring prices of pulses have baffled customers.

Meanwhile, as per the state traders’ association, the prevailing system is responsible for the exorbitant prices of the pulses.

The association has alleged that some big corporate houses are now controlling the prices of pulses after it was removed from the list of essential commodities. Though the production of pulses has gone down by 10 to 15 percent only, it is expected that the prices will continue to increase by 50 percent in near future.

“We have little shortage of pulses in the country. But, it has become the habit of some big corporate houses operating in the retail market to hoard and inflate prices. We are apprehensive that the prices of pulses will continue to rise in coming days,” said Sudhakar Panda, General Secretary of state traders’ association.

Not only arhar, but also the prices of moong, lentils, and chickpeas have also increased by Rs 10 to 15 per kg in the retail market. It has severely affected the customers and traders. As a result, family budgets have gone haywire. As people are buying lesser amounts of pulses due to the rise in prices, it has severely affected the business as well.
 
“The rise in prices of pulses has affected the middle class and lower-middle-class people a lot. Dal is an essential item along with rice. The prices of vegetables have already been exorbitant in the market. Now, people are worried about fulfilling even their basic necessity of food,” said a homemaker.

As per the retailers, there is not enough production of pulses in Odisha. As the State has to import pulses from other states at higher rates, it affects the consumers even more.

“I don’t think there is any chance of a decline in the prices of pulses in the near future unless the Centre steps in,” said Prafulla Kumar Chhattoi, General Secretary of the Cuttack Chamber of Commerce.