PUNE: The pulses story has taken a Uturn. Till a few weeks back, the prices were so high that the average Indian had to shell out a premium for pulses.Now that the kharif crop has started arriving in various mandis, it is the turn of farmers to feel the pinch. Prices have fallen even below the minimum support price (MSP) announced by the government, forcing the industry to demand government procurement to support farmers.Kharif moong, which have started arriving from Karnataka, has been trading below MSP and other pulses are likely to go same way, when they hit the markets in the next few months.The Centre had increased MSP for pulses, including bonus, by 7% to 9% for . 50.50kg for tur, ` 2016-17. MSP is ` . 52.25 kg for moong and ` . 50kg for urad. Prices of whole green moong in Karnataka markets are ruling at ` . 40-45kg, lower by 20% than the MSP.Responding to the historically high prices of pulses in India last year, farmers increased acreage to record levels.As on August 19, pulses acreage in India was up 35% over last year.Industry leaders thinks the government may have to support pulses farmers to avoid them shifting to other lucrative crops, which may make pulses expensive again just before the next general elections.“We have asked the central government to buy kharif pulses at MSP. The government should also include pulses in the public distribution system,“ said Bimal Kothari, vice-president, Indian Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA).Kothari said wholesale prices of pulses have come down 25% to 40% and the government should look at retail price correction.