The Union government is facing mounting demands from states for supplies of tur and chana as retail prices of pulses rise, but it is reluctant to release large quantities from its buffer stocks, which are meant to help stabilise domestic prices when needed.
“States are demanding pulses—tur and chana. But our directive is to store and save the buffer. Our function is not to give states our buffer for their welfare schemes but to intervene in retail markets when necessary,” a government official said.
According to the official, several large states, particularly in southern India, have sought more than 100,000 tonnes of tur each. Meeting demands of this scale could leave the Centre with less stock to address future supply shortages and price pressures.
Pulse prices rise amid supply concerns
The consumer affairs ministry holds around 4.5 million tonnes of pulses, including 1.1 million tonnes of tur and 2.3 million tonnes of chana. Its stocks also comprise 650,000 tonnes of masur, 370,000 tonnes of moong and 70,000 tonnes of urad.
Government data showed that all-India retail prices of tur dal rose 17.2 per cent year-on-year to Rs 131.98 per kg on Monday. Gram dal prices increased 8.66 per cent to Rs 92.86 per kg, while urad dal climbed 10.56 per cent to Rs 125.45 per kg. Moong dal prices were up 4.77 per cent at Rs 114.11 per kg.
Weather conditions have added to concerns over domestic supplies. Deficient rainfall and drought-like conditions in major pulse-growing areas could affect tur production. Dry soil conditions may also hamper chana sowing as the rabi season approaches.
Tur is a kharif crop, while chana is grown during the rabi season. Together, the two pulses account for more than 60 per cent of India's total pulse consumption.
Industry seeks lower duty on yellow pea imports
The Centre has already taken steps to address the risk of rising prices. In July, it asked the agriculture ministry to relax the nine-month deadline for disposing of pulses procured under the Price Support Scheme.
Meanwhile, industry representatives are seeking a reduction in the 30 per cent import duty on yellow peas to ease supply pressures. India had permitted duty-free imports of yellow peas in December 2023 to improve availability and contain pulse prices.
Imports surged to nearly 2.95 million tonnes in 2024, while total pulse imports touched a record of around 6.9 million tonnes that year.
Yellow peas are a cheaper alternative to chana and are used to make besan and other pulse-based foods. However, the government reimposed a 30 per cent import duty on yellow peas from November 1, 2025, ending the earlier duty-free regime for qualifying shipments.