New Delhi, Nov. 12 -- Amid rising inflation, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based retail inflation at 6.09 per cent in October 2026 and food inflation touching 8.94 per cent, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Lahiri stressed the need to accelerate domestic production of pulses and edible oils to reduce import dependence and strengthen food security.

Responding to an ANI question on rising inflation, Lahiri said India needs to make considerably greater progress in domestic production of pulses and oilseeds, given the country's dependence on overseas supplies for meeting domestic consumption requirements.

"And despite the fact that dal prices are not cheap, we should be making much more progress in edible oil and pulses," Lahiri said. ...