The skyrocketing price of toor dal (red gram), an important component of the food basket, has hit Akshara Dasoha, the midday meal scheme for primary and high school children across the State.
The sudden jump in its price has affected procurement of the dal since the Centre allocates only Rs. 73 a kg for its purchase under the scheme, but the red gram’s market price has more than doubled to Rs. 150 a kg. From September onwards, toor dal will be used only for three days instead of five days a week, and chickpea ( kadle kaalu ) will be used in its place for the remaining two days to tide over the price crisis. Chickpea is available in the market at Rs. 57 a kg.
Sources told The Hindu that a decision had been taken by the Department of Public Instruction to replace toor with chickpea for two days a week to maintain the expenditure. Instructions on this had been communicated to the districts.
Toor is a prominent protein component in the food supplied to children studying in government and aided schools.
“If the retail price has shot up to Rs. 150 a kg, the wholesale price would be around Rs. 125 to Rs. 130 a kg. Still, the price gap is big and meal budget does not permit meeting the rising cost. Hence, the decision was taken to use chickpea for two days a week until the prices stabilise,” a source said.
Enquiries in the markets here revealed that the price of the dal would not drop but rise further with the onset of festival season. There is a possibility of the price touching Rs. 200 a kg, which will be a record.
Toor dal (per 100 g) – 22.3 g of protein, 335 calories and 2 g of iron
Chickpea (per 100 g) – 17 g of protein, 360 calories and 5 g of iron
Source: CFTRI, Mysuru
