The Centre on Tuesday extended duty free imports of tur or arhar by a year till March 2026 to temper retail food prices that are still ruling above the government’s comfort levels. The existing import policy was first introduced in May 2021 and extended several times till March 2025 amid faltering domestic production due to El Niño weather pattern. Government stocks also got exhausted for ensuring food security during the pandemic. The Centre is deploying the strategy of boosting supply in a bid to control food inflation as retail prices of pulses are still high despite recent declines. Data from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs shows year-on-year retail prices of tur are nearly 10% lower in Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Kerala, and higher by about 10-20% in Rajasthan, West Bengal, Sikkim, Chandigarh etc. The All India average retail price of tur dal at Rs 152/kg on January 20 is higher by 1% compared to a year earlier.
