PM AASHA

As women health care workers' protest enters 30th day amid political blame game, ADITI PHADNIS explores the Centre-state funding ratio debate

As women health care workers' protest enters 30th day amid political blame game, ADITI PHADNIS explores the Centre-state funding ratio debate

The Maharashtra government on Monday issued an order to form a committee to study and implement minimum support price (MSP) schemes under the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA). As per the order, the committee will submit a detailed report within one month, including suggestions and recommendations for the government on effectively implementing the MSP schemes across the state. The state Cooperation, Marketing and Textile Department issued the government resolution (GR) on Monday. The price support scheme (PSF) and price stabilisation scheme (PSS) for the purchase of agricultural produce come under the PM-AASHA. The GR stated that in October 2018, under the Union government, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare issued guidelines for implementing these schemes. According to these guidelines, the Central government guarantees the purchase of up to 25 per cent of the total production of essential agricultural commodities at the MSP, and this process

The Centre has extended procurement of soyabean in Maharashtra by 24 days and Telangana by 15 days, beyond normal purchase period of 90 days, to protect farmers' interest. Groundnut procurement in Gujarat has been extended by six days, and in Karnataka by 25 days. According to an official statement, the government approved the procurement of soyabean under the price support scheme (PSS) in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Telangana for Kharif 2024-25. A quantity of 19.99 lakh tonnes of soyabean has been procured till February 9, 2025 benefitting 8,46,251 farmers. "Minister of agriculture and farmers' welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has approved the proposal to extend the period of procurement in Maharashtra by 24 days and in Telangana by 15 days beyond the normal procurement period of 90 days keeping the interest of farmers of the state," the statement said. Similarly, the government approved the procurement of groundnut under the PS

Schemes under PM-AASHA aim to regulate price fluctuations to ensure fair prices for farmers. The Centre has also updated the policies under this scheme and added new components. Details here

But PM-AASHA allocation indicates otherwise

India's dependence on imports for meeting its domestic demand for edible oils has increased during the last few decades and roughly 60 percent of domestic consumption is met through imports

Pay disparity, absence of social security or support system remain dominant themes

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has also asked companies to modify products that contain limitations for Ayush treatments and ensure compliance

Push to include cervical cancer vaccination in Universal Immunisation Programme and set up more medical colleges

Yielding little results, does govt need to review PM-AASHA scheme?

Yielding little results, does govt need to review PM-AASHA scheme?

The idea in itself is not new and previously several attempts have been made to involve private players in official procurement, most recently in oilseeds

Though there has been an increase in acreage and production of these items, there hasn't been a big reduction in paddy and wheat acreage

The fifth installment of NFHS revealed a surge in female sterilisations in 14 of India's 36 states and Union Territories

However, achieving self-sufficiency in edible oil will remain a distant dream unless drastic policy measures are taken

PDPS is part of the broader bouquet of schemes called Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) that was launched in September 2018

Both were well-intentioned but inadvertently kept several farmers out and in any case had complicated implementation protocols on MSP

One govt after another has been reaching out to the farmer just ahead of crucial polls, offering remunerative prices for his crops in a bid to score electoral victories

Critical to the Covid-19 fight at community level, they remain undervalued and identified only as volunteers