Arhar price rises, sale drops by 50%

LUCKNOW: With the price of Arhar daal increasing sharply once again, the sale has gone down by 50 %. Arhar, which was available in stores across the city at Rs 150 per kg just five days back, is now priced at Rs 180 per kg.
Sanjay Chaudhary, a retailer in Hazratganj, said, “The sky-rocketing price of Arhar has forced buyers to go for less priced pulses, including Chana, Lal Masoor and Rajma or a pack of mixed daal,” he added.
Sheeba Masood, a housewife living in a joint family in Golaganj, said, “The sudden surge in the Arhar daal price is disappointing. With guests at home, things become difficult.”
In fact in shopping centres/ malls like Big Bazaar, the price of Arhar is even higher. While the premium quality of Arhar is priced at Rs 195 per kg, the super quality pack of Arhar is available at Rs 204 per kg.
Harish Arora, another retail shop-owner in Aminabad, said, “While some customers have totally stopped buying Arhar daal for the past few months, others have cut down on the quantity.”
“These days most of the buyers of Arhar daal ask for just half a kg,” he added.
Adita Bajpai, mother of a 12-year-old boy, said, “My son only eats Arhar daal and as pulses are rich in proteins, I have to buy it despite my budget being disturbed.”