Adding to the woes of the tax-paying common man, prices of pulses have gone up by around Rs. 30 a kilo from April. Unseasonal rain, rupee depreciation and shortage of materials in the international market are reasons for the price rise, say market experts. India imports 50 per cent of its pulses requirements.
“The prices this year are higher than what they were last year. What was around Rs. 100 a kilogram in February-March is now around Rs. 150. Families are substituting ‘thuvar’ (toor) dhal meant for sambar with masoor dhal (lentil),” says G. Ravindran of Rajeshwari Stores in Velachery.
Homemakers are worried about the increase in family spending. Sridevi Elavazhagan, resident of Perambur, said the increase in prices of pulses has resulted in an increase of Rs. 700 in her monthly provision budget. “Consumers are already burdened with the increase in petrol prices, and this increase makes it worse. The government must immediately take steps to sell more quantum of pulses in the open market,” she said.
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Manish Parmar, vice president, Madras Kirana Merchants Association, said that in the wholesale market the prices are already witnessing a slight downslide. “With the new crops coming in next month the prices will come down further. However, the decrease will not be as low as expected. Prices are higher than they were in 2014 but lesser than in 2013 - which was the highest in the last few years,” he added.