New Delhi, Nov 18 (PTI) Over 5,366 tonnes of pulses have been offloaded in the markets so far out of a total 1.32 lakh tonnes seized from hoarders in raids conducted by the states, a move aimed at boosting supply and easing prices.

Pulses prices have been ruling as high as Rs 180 per kg in the retail markets across the country as their production dipped by 2 million tonnes in the 2014-15 crop year on poor and untimely rains.

"Since imposition of the stockholding limits on pulses by the States, 1,32,777.14 MT have been seized till November 17, 2015," an official statement said.

"As per reports received from the State Governments, till yesterday, 5,366.18 MT pulses seized under de-hoarding operations have been auctioned or offloaded through other options in the market to increase availability. This will help to moderate the prices further," it added.

According to the data, these 5,366 tonnes of pulses were offloaded by six states -- Chattisgarh, Delhi, Karnataka, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Madhya Pradesh has disposed 1,945.8 tonne of pulses in the markets so far, Chattisgarh 1,489.06 tonnes, Odisha 1,402.16 tonnes, Karnataka 371.03 tonnes, Rajasthan 150 tonnes and Delhi 8.13 tonnes.

"The efforts are being made also by other States to expedite disposal of seized pulses as per the provisions of Essential Commodities Act," the statement said.

According to the Consumer Affairs Ministry data, the maximum price of tur (arhar) dal is Rs 180 per kg, urad Rs 178 per kg, moong Rs 125 per kg, masoor Rs 110 per kg and gram Rs 80 per kg.

However, the average price of tur dal is Rs 160 per kg, urad Rs 135 per kg, moong Rs 110 per kg, masoor Rs 85 per kg and gram Rs 70 per kg.

Pulses prices had crossed Rs 200 per kg in the retail markets, but the rates have now softened to some extent.

To boost domestic supply and check prices, the government has taken several steps including sale of imported pulses at cheaper rate, imposition of stockholding limits, dehoarding operations and creation of buffer stocks.