CCEA approves release of pulses at discounted rate to states

The CCEA on Thursday approved the release of pulses to the states and Union Territories at the discounted rate of Rs 15 per kg to be utilized for various welfare schemes.

"The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the release of pulses to States/UTs at discounted rate to be utilized for various Welfare Schemes from the stock of pulses procured under Price Support Schemes (PSS)," Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

He said that the decision would enable the states and Union Territories to use pulses in various Welfare Schemes like Public Distribution System, Mid-Day Meal Scheme etc. besides making available the warehouses, which may be required in coming Kharif season for storage of commodities procured under PSS.

Sharing the details of the decision, Prasad said that under this approved Scheme, the governments are offered to lift 34.88 lakh metric tonne of Tur, Chana, Masoor, Moong and Urad at discount of Rs 15 per kg over the prevailing wholesale market price of the sourcing state on First come first serve basis.

The state and UT governments utilize these pulses in their various welfare schemes or programmes like Mid-Day Meal, Public Distribution System, Integrated Child Development Programmes (ICDP) etc. This will be one-time dispensation for a period of 12 months or complete disposal of 34.88 lakh MT of pulses stock whichever is earlier.

He also said the government would spend Rs 5,237 crore for implementation of this scheme.

He said the government under Price Support Scheme has made a record procurement of pulses during Kharif 2017 and Rabi 2018 marketing season. A record procurement of 45.43 lakh metric tonne of pulses has been done under PSS.

--IANS

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