The steep rise in the prices of pluses is affecting common man the most and traders believe that in the coming days, there will be more hike in the prices of pluses.
The Pioneer visited the city’s biggest market Khari Baoli — the wholesale marker of spices, pluses and grains - and spoke with Grain Merchant Association (GMA).
According to them, the prices of pulses can only be reduced in Delhi if State and Central Government extend the stock period and involve at least two members of GMA in the inflation policy frame work.
Ramchander Gupta, Cashier and GMA spokesperson said in the coming days, prices of pulses will go even higher because there is less pulse crop production in India, which does not fulfill the demand and estimated consumption. “In year
1954, pulse consumption per person per day in Delhi was 62-65 gram. However this has been reduced to 25 gram only with the growing population,” said Gupta.
While talking about per day pulse consumption of Delhi, he said city consumes 10,000 ton to 12,000 ton pulses per day; yearly consumption is, however, 192 lakh ton, he further added.
According to Gupta, the main reason for inflation in Indian market is less duration of stock and second is inconsequential production and uncooperative weather conditions for pulse production in India.
“While importing pulses from overseas to Mumbai port, there is halt in services. Meanwhile, we need to maintain our stock and have to stretch the period allowed for stocking. As per the norms of the Government, we keep pulses stock for fifteen days and cannot extend it,” said a wholesale trader.
“Wholesale rates of pulses fluctuate as compared to retail prices. We import pluses mainly from Australia , Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Canada, libya and Burma, the production rate with respect to climate conditions in these countries also effect Indian grain market,” said a trader in Khari Baoli market.
While checking the differences in rates in retail and wholesale markets, a huge gap was observed in case of prices of pulses.
The wholesale rate of most consumed pulse pigeon pea is Rs80-105 per kg while retail price is Rs190 per kg. The wholesale prices of other pluses - green gram/moong bean , green gram split , black gram , blak gram split, red masoor , chickpeas (brown) and Garbanzo beans are Rs/kg 89-71 , 90-95,110-115,125,69-74,51,47-51 respectively. However, retail prices are Rs/kG) 115, 120, 185, 190, 95, 85, 85 respectively.
The traders, merchants and grocers also said the rising inflation is also due to insufficient monsoon this year. “The monsoon season this year was worst. During the pulse crop production, the weather was not supportive in southern India, the pulse crop production is poor as compared to previous years,” said a merchant there.
“The rates of vegetable oils are also high ..,mustered oil which was earlier sold per liter Rs70 -80 is now Rs130 while refined oil has captured the market with constant rate which is still Rs70,” said a retailer, Vishal Gupta, owner of a retail pulse shop in Chandni Chowk.
The rate of olive oil is Rs250 per liter, he said further, “there is big hit on the consumption of mustered oil, and we are keeping three variety of mustered cooking oil having different rate and quality.” he added.
Meanwhile, the housewives are looking for other alternatives to serve nutritious diet, “Pluses are essential as primary source of protein for human body but skyrocketing prices have compelled us to opt non - veg items and dairy products,” said a housewife.
“The consumptions of dry fruits items are also consumed more in winter season but consumer will think twice as he/she needs to pay high value for them,” she further added.
