'Centre will step in if traders hoard pulses and prices rise"

Prices of wholesale tur have declined nearly 3% after govt formed a panel to monitor stocks

- Puja Das

The government expects traders in pulses and other key food items to refrain from any behaviour that could lead to an artificial market scarcity and stoke fears of shortage, consumer affairs secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said, warning of strong government intervention if markets do not behave.

The statement comes against the backdrop of attempts by some market players to hold back stocks of tur, a key kharif pulse, which has been in short supply following crop damage because of unseasonal rain last October.

The official could also be speaking with an eye on next year’s tur crop which could suffer if the weatherman’s El Nino predictions come true. Tur makes up 13% of the domestic pulse basket.

Singh also said the price of tur—also called arhar or pigeon pea—has stabilized after the government cracked the whip on traders, mandating stock disclosures. At present, the government has comfortable stocks, he said.