Prices of Chana, Tur and Urad in major mandis have declined by up to four per cent in past one month, but the drop has not been reflected in retail prices, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, Nidhi Khare has said.
Pointing out the diverging trends between wholesale mandi prices and retail prices, she said it appeared that retailers are deriving higher profit margin.
Khare was presiding over a meeting with Retailers Association of India (RAI) in New Delhi on Tuesday to discuss the price scenario in respect of pulses, an official release said.
The meeting, organised by the Department of Consumer Affairs, also reviewed the compliance to the stock limits for Tur and Chana prescribed in the Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs Order, 2024, the release said.
RAI has more than 2,300 members and around 6,00,000 outlets in the country.
Khare expressed satisfaction over robust sowing of Kharif pulses and said the Centre has undertaken numerous steps in facilitating enhanced production of Tur and Urad in major Kharif pulses producing states.
These steps include distribution of good quality seeds to farmers through NAFED and NCCF, she said, pointing out that the Department of Agriculture is in continuous engagement with the State Agriculture Departments to provide all necessary support.
Considering the current price scenario and Kharif outlook, the Secretary asked retail industry to extend all possible support to the Government in its efforts to keep prices of pulses affordable to the consumers.
Khare informed that stock positions of all stockholding entities, including that of big chain retailers are being closely monitored to ensure that the prescribed limits are not breached. Breach of stock limits, unscrupulous speculation and profiteering on the part of market players would invite stern actions from the Government.
Retail industry participants assured that they would make necessary adjustments in their retail margins and maintain at nominal level to ensure availability of prices at affordable prices to the consumers, the release said.
The meeting was attended among others by representatives of RAI, Reliance Retail, D Mart, Tata Stores, Spencer’s, RSPG and V Mart, it added.
