Why dal is cheap in the market but expensive in the shop? The government has taken strict measures to stop profiteering

The central government is now in full action mode to control dal prices in the country. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, has held an important meeting with traders, dealers and stockists of pulses. The main objective of this meeting was to maintain adequate availability of pulses in the market and stabilize prices. In addition, the status of reporting stock of pulses on the ‘Stock Declaration Portal’ was also closely reviewed. The government has made it clear that it will not allow dal to become expensive on the plate of the common man and for this monitoring is being increased at every level of the supply chain.

Prices are low in the market, still burdening consumers’ pockets

During the meeting, Secretary Nidhi Khare drew attention to a very serious issue. He said that the price of dal has come down in the wholesale markets, but the full benefit is not reaching the common consumers. The major reason for this is that mill owners, dealers and retailers are not reducing their prices as per the mandis. The reduction in wholesale prices is not being cut in the retail market. Due to which common man has to buy expensive dal even after the supply is fixed.

Sufficient stock in the market through sowing and importation

According to the government, there is no shortage of pulses in the country. Nidhi Khare informed the meeting that the sowing figures of urad and other pulses in Kharif 2026 season have been very encouraging. Along with this, Rabi season sowing is also progressing continuously. In addition to local production, the availability of pulses in the country is becoming better than ever due to regular imports from abroad. It means that it will no longer be possible to raise prices on the pretext of shortage of goods in the market.

Stock information has to be provided on the portal every week

The department has now issued strict instructions to maintain transparency in the market. So that necessary action can be taken in time, all the units having stocks of pulses have to provide information on the government portal. These include importers, traders, mill owners, wholesalers and retailers. All of them have to compulsorily furnish full details of stock held by them every week on the department’s online portal (fcainfoweb.nic.in/psp/). The meeting also looked at how often traders declare their stocks on the portal.

Meetings at different levels to prevent hoarding

To know the reality of the entire supply chain, Nidhi Khare also held separate meetings with major retail chains, importers, mill owners, traders, dealers and stockists. In these meetings the current status of stock at each level was reviewed. The Secretary laid special emphasis on the fact that strict vigilance is necessary to prevent artificial scarcity of pulses in the market, hoarding and profiteering. This move by the government makes it clear that strict action may be taken against traders who do not follow the rules in the coming days.