Government Concerns over Dal Prices and Supply Manipulation

The government is alarmed by the significant price increase in essential varieties of Dal, such as Tor Dal and Urad Dal, by up to 31% and 15% respectively within a year. This surge in prices is attributed to potential hoarding by middlemen which restricts the supply, leading to inflation. To tackle this issue, the government plans surprise inspections in markets and stores, along with monitoring traders' stock disclosures. The scarcity of pulses like Tor Dal is exacerbated by historical farmer focus on crops like wheat and rice, resulting in a long-term reliance on pulse imports.