Prices of pulses soar

This is attributed to the decrease in area of cultivation and increased cross-border taxes

The price of pulses has witnessed a sudden spurt in the district. This can be attributed to the decrease in the area of cultivation and increased cross border taxes imposed by Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on goods vehicles.

The prices of all pulses have increased by 25-50 per cent in the last one month.

Speaking to

The Hindu , the president of Kirana and General Store Merchants Association of Nalgonda, Tadakamalla Chandraiah, confirmed that suppliers had increased the prices of pulses this month.

The price of red gram increased from Rs. 90 per kg to Rs. 120, chana dal from Rs. 45 a kg to Rs. 70, black gram from Rs. 90 per kg to Rs. 120, split red gram from Rs. 65 a kg to Rs. 85 and green gram from Rs. 90 a kg to Rs. 120.

Meanwhile, the price of chilli also went up from Rs. 60 a kg to Rs. 85 a kg, but traders attributed that to the soaring demand for pickle during this season.

According to agriculture officers, the average area of cultivation of pulses in the district was 50,000 hectares, but farmers this year cultivated pulses in just 23,000 hectares owing to poor rainfall.

Meanwhile, productivity has also gone down.

Deficit rain

The district received 40 per cent deficit rain this year. Members of the Lorry Owners Association said that they had increased transport charge by 20 per cent following the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments’ decision to impose cross border tax on vehicles plying between both the States.

A consumer, P. Lakshmi, said they used to make dal every day at home, which they were forced to reduce to once in every two days.

Consumers also fear that hotels may hike the prices of items made with pulses on their menu.