Big supermarkets make a killing with sale of tur dal

The Food and Civil Supplies Department will carry out surprise checks of multi-brand retail outlets in Bengaluru following complaints that they are selling tur dal at high prices.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting chaired by Food and Civil Supplies Minister U T Khader on Saturday, where representatives of  wholesaler associations and trade bodies like the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) participated.

At the meeting, it was learnt that multi-brand retail outlets are selling tur dal at Rs 180 to Rs 200 per kilogram with the MRP of Rs 315 being printed on the packs. The retail outlets are supposedly selling the lentil at the said rates on the pretext of giving a ‘Ramzan discount’.

Khader asked officials of his department to conduct surprise checks of the outlets and issue them notices if they are found to be selling the lentil at such high prices. Other multi-brand retail outlets like Adani and Reliance will also come under the scanner, the minister said.

Khader said the association had agreed to sell tur dal at Rs 130 per kg (regular quality) and Rs 145 per kg (premium quality) at select counters in wholesale markets. Tur dal will be sold at these rates for the next three months, so that prices are controlled.

Harsh Gupta, principal secretary of the department, said that Karnataka had sought 5,000 metric tonnes of tur dal from the Centre, and the consignment was expected to arrive next week. He said the department’s powers to curb hoarding were limited to specifying/restricting stock limits to retail outlets.

A trader has brought to the department’s notice that the More supermarket chain was selling tur dal at high prices. “The price appears to be high. We will examine the matter and if it is found that consumer rights are being affected, then we will refer the matter to the consumer court.”

According to Gupta, the government cannot ‘dictate terms’ to independent businesses but can only put restrictions on the stock held.