46% surge in pulse rate; Dal-Chawal is now a rich man’s food

Indians, who eat the protein-rich seeds at almost every meal, don’t produce enough to meet demand. Poor monsoon rains have made it worse, compelling Prime Minister Narendra Modi to step up imports.

The 46 percentage surge in pulses accounted for about a fifth of consumer-price inflation last month, according to BNP Paribas’ Richard Iley.

Not to worry, he writes. If the previous three similar episodes of the past decade are to be trusted, the current bout of price madness should be over soon and open room for the central bank to cut rates again.