Govt allows distribution of pulses for mid-day meal, other welfare schemes

They would be sourced from the existing 1.8-million tonne buffer to meet nutritional needs

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Friday decided to use a part of its 1.8 million tonnes (mt) of buffer stock of pulses for distribution in its welfare schemes such as mid-day meals. After this decision, all central ministries and departments would be empowered to make suitable changes and amendments in their respective schemes and guidelines to enable them to take/provide pulses from the buffer in ‘kind’ under their respective schemes, an official statement said.

This will help ensure adequate supply of pulses under various schemes, including mid-day meals, hospitals as well as ministries/departments or their agencies providing food/catering