The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday said that it approved the disposal of 15 lakh tonnes of chana to the states and Union Territories (UTs) at Rs 8 per kg discount so that it can be utilised for various welfare schemes, a CCEA statement said.
“Under this approved scheme, the states and UTs are offered to lift 15 lakh tonne of chana at the discount of Rs 8 per kg over the issue price of the sourcing state on first come, first serve basis,” it said.
According to the release, the states and UTs will utilise these pulses in their various welfare schemes/programmes such as Mid-Day Meal, Public Distribution System, and Integrated Child Development Programmes (ICDP) in their states and UTs. This will be one-time dispensation for a period of 12 months or till complete disposal of 15 lakh MT stock of Chana whichever is earlier.
The central government will spend Rs 1,200 crore for implementation of this scheme.
The decisions will enable the states and UTs to use chana in various welfare schemes besides making available space of warehouses, which may be required in coming rabi season for accommodating fresh stocks procured under Price Support Scheme that will help in getting remunerative price of pulses to the farmers besides, encourage more farmers to grow such pulses by making higher investment and help them in fetching remunerative price for their produce.
Moreover, this also helps in achieving self-sufficiency of such pulses in our country.
Recently, India has witnessed an all-time high production of chana especially in the past three years.
The government has made a record procurement of chana during rabi season (2019-20, 2020-21, and 2021-22). Due to this, 30.55 lakh MT of chana is available with the government under PSS and PSF in the coming Rabi season also, the production of chana is expected to be good. This coupled with increase in Minimum Support Price (MSP) for chana during 22-23 will entail additional procurement under Price Support Scheme.
On the other hand, the Cabinet approves enhancement of quantity procurement ceiling under PSS from existing 25 per cent to 40 per cent in respect of Tur, Urad, and Masur.