Tamil Nadu to sell imported tur dal at half the market price

CHENNAI: To check spiraling prices of pulses, the Tamil Nadu government will make available 500 tonnes of imported tur dal allotted by the central government at Rs 110 a kg through 91 cooperative outlets effective November 1.

"Effective November 1, imported tur dal will be sold in half and one kg packets in 91 cooperative outlets in Chennai (56 stores), Madurai (11), Tiruchirappali (14) and Coimbatore (10)," a state government release said.

On directions of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, the state had asked the Centre to allot 500 tonnes of tur dal after it transpired that the Centre is importing 5,000 tonnes.

"The Centre has sent 500 tonnes of tur dal and it has been received at the Chennai Port," the release said.

While the current market price hovering Rs 200-220 per kg for tur dal, the government said it will sell a kg of the pulse variety at Rs 110 and half kg at Rs 55.

Besides, ration card holders will continue to get dal varieties at a subsidised Rs 30 a kg and edible oil (palmolien) at Rs 25 per litre, the government said.