Nagpur: A sudden spurt in Tur dal prices has baffled many consumers who are already burdened with burning prices of onion and other vegetables. The prices have shot up from Rs 120-130 a kilo to Rs 185 per kg during this period. However more interesting is the fact the prices are not increased due to the shortage of legumes but due to a technical error. Yes! You heard it right…The sudden rise in the prices of pulses in the past week is the result of a glitch in the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) server, officials said on Wednesday.
Since India doesn’t produce enough pulses to meet domestic demand, the government has exempted legumes from import duty. From time to time, it issues notifications to this effect. The latest order, issued on September 30, says no duty is to be paid on import of pulses between October 1, 2015 and January 1, 2016.
But a problem at CBEC’s server in Delhi prevented officials from updating the notification. As a result, the system treated pulses as dutiable items, prompting traders to not clear consignments at JNPT.
The problem was fixed on Wednesday evening, said the officer, adding that it would take at least three days to clear the backlog.
Dal turns Dream for Every Thali!
Meanwhile, the prices in grocery market were high enough to keep the ordinary buyer away from the purchase.
Moong dal rose sharply by Rs 800 per quintal to Rs 11,800 from yesterday’s price of Rs 11,000. Tur dal was up by Rs 300 per quintal to Rs 15,500 from previous Rs 15,200. Urad dal increased by Rs 200 per quintal to Rs 15,000 from its previous rate of Rs 14,800.
