Stresses on the need of a policy initiative to regulate retail prices of pulses
India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA) – the nodal body for pulses and grains trade and industry in India – has sought to initiate immediate measures to curb the skyrocketing prices of pulses and grains in the retail market. According to IPGA, retail prices have been traditionally higher than wholesale prices. However, each time a surge in prices is reported, wholesale traders end up bearing the brunt of inflation whereas retailers are it online or offline, organised or unorganised, are seldom under the spotlight.
While there could be a variety of reasons for the difference, the government or Department of Consumer Affairs needs to take a closer look at the same. At present, there is no regulation on retail prices of pulses leading to an indiscriminate surge in prices leaving the end-consumer to pay exorbitant prices for pulses and grains – which are necessities in any Indian household. IPGA firmly believes that the need of the hour is to regulate retail prices of pulses and grains, on an urgent basis so that consumers reeling under severe inflation can get some relief.
IPGA has been monitoring retail, wholesale and ex-mill prices of pulses and grains from time to time. IPGA, in June 2021, conducted a study of pulse prices on retail shelves of organised and unorganised retail stores across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai wherein teams physically purchased pulses from retail outlets. The survey showed that the price spread between wholesale and retail prices is fairly large.
IPGA believes that the government is targeting the wrong sector. They are focusing on the traders whereas they need to conduct in-depth scrutiny and monitoring of the gap between the wholesale and the retail prices. They also need to see at what price is NAFED selling their stocks. Even the RBI Annual Report has pointed out the vast difference between wholesale and retail and yet the government is taking action at the wholesale level or trader level or the stockist level whereas the rally is taking place at the retail level where the government is not taking any action.
IPGA strongly urged that the government or Department of Consumer Affairs devise a process by which the pricing is suitably adjusted to be in sync with wholesale prices. There has to be some mechanism, some checks and balances which the government has to devise, through thorough in-depth research.
IPGA also takes this opportunity to request media houses to desist from writing contradictory articles. Media houses need to check prices across various points of sale i.e. mandis, mills, wholesale markets, online sales and retail stores before reporting them or blaming the traders for high prices.
