Govt to dispose of 500,000 tonnes of pulses buffer stock

The concerned ministries, implementing various schemes, have been asked to provide their requirement for pulses

The Centre, which is sitting on buffer stock of 1.8 million tonnes of pulses, is aiming to dispose of up to 500,000 tonnes of lentils by March 2018 by distributing through the various welfare programmes, a senior food ministry official said on Monday.

Last week, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave approval for distributing a part of the pulses buffer stock to central schemes such as mid-day meal and other state-run agencies besides state governments.

“The recent CCEA approval will help clear at least 350,000-500,000 tonnes of pulses from the buffer stock by end of this fiscal year,” the official