Coronavirus: 13 states get blanket govt approval for pulses procurement

States can buy up to 25 per cent of produce immediately

The Central government has given a blanket approval to 13 states to immediately start procuring chana (gram) and masoor (lentil), the two big pulses grown during the rabi season. The Centre has also cleared Rs 1,250 crore for purchasing around 258,000 tonnes of both the pulses.

These 13 states won’t require any formal approval from the Centre before starting procurement. The states can start procuring up to 25 per cent of the produce immediately, without waiting for a formal clearance of their proposal from the Centre. The purchases will be made under various central government schemes, including PM-ASHA, of which