Prices of pulses have continued to remain high since last year, but toor dal will soon be available at Rs. 130 a kg, but for a limited period.
Facilitated by the Department of Food and Civil Supplies, grain merchants of the district have come forward to offer the popular dal at this price for about a week (depending on availability of stocks) in Mysuru and all taluk headquarters.
U.T. Khader, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, has made an announcement to this effect.
Arrangements are being made in Mysuru for the subsidised sale of toor dal, where the top quality variety in the retail market sells at Rs. 165 to Rs.170 a kg. Last year, the prices had crossed the Rs. 200-mark.
Deputy Director of Food and Civil Supplies K. Rameshwarappa told The Hindu that the department was facilitating the initiative promoted by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry and grain merchants.
“The organisers have told us that over 600 quintals of dal will be put on ‘special’ sale,” he said.
“Only 3 kg of toor dal will be sold to one person, in addition to other pulses at rates which will be lower than the market price,” he said, adding that buyers will have to submit ID proof — either their ration card or Aadhaar card — at the time of purchase.
In reply to a question on the protests by the public earlier when the ‘special’ sale was called off after toor dal stocks were exhausted, Mr. Rameshwarappa said, “This will be a special sale where limited quantities will be put up for sale.”
He said the venue and dates of the sale in Mysuru and the taluk headquarters would be announced on Tuesday. It remains to be seen whether top-quality toor dal will be sold during the ‘special’ sale.
