On Wednesday, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs authorised hiking the procurement ceiling for tur, urad, and Masur under two programmes.
From the stock of pulses purchased under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) and Price Stabilization Fund, the Union Cabinet has also permitted the sale of Chana (Pulses) to States/UTs at a discounted price to be used for various Welfare Schemes (PSF).
According to an official statement, “The committee also voted to increase the ceiling on the amount of procurement under PSS from 25% to 40% in respect of Tur, Urad, and Masur.”
The States/UTs governments are granted the opportunity to lift 15 lakh MT of Chana under this authorised Scheme at a discount of Rs. 8 per kg over the Issue Price of the source State on a first-come, first-served basis. The States/UTs should use these pulses in their numerous Welfare Schemes/Programs like Mid-Day meals, Public Distribution systems, Integrated Child Development Programmes (ICDP), etc. in respective States/UTs.
This will be a one-time concession for 12 months or until all of the 15 lakh MT of Chana stock has been sold, whichever comes first. To implement this Scheme, the Government will invest Rs. 1200 crore.
The decisions will allow the States/UTs to use Chana in various welfare programmes like PDS, Mid-Day Meal Programs, etc., in addition to making warehouse space available that may be needed in the upcoming Rabi season for fresh housing stocks purchased under the Price Support Scheme, which will help get farmers a fair price for their pulses.

Additionally, it will encourage more farmers to invest more money into growing these pulses and assist them in obtaining a fair price for their output. Additionally, this aids in our nation becoming self-sufficient in these pulses.