Buffer stock limit of pulses increased up to 2million tonnes

NEW DELHI: The Cabinet on Monday has approved the proposal of Department of Consumer Affairs on enhancing the buffer stock for pulses up to 20 lakh tonnes. The buffer stock will be built through domestic procurement and imports of 10 lakh tonnes each.

Central Agencies namely FCI, NAFED and SFAC or any other agency as decided by PSFMC will carry out the procurement operations at the prevailing market prices. State Governments may also be authorized, wherever possible, to undertake the procurement in a manner similar to decentralized procurement of food-grains.

Import of pulses under PSF to meet the buffer stock requirements would be undertaken through G2G contract and/or spot purchase from the global market through designated Public Sector Enterprise of Department of Commerce or any other agency designated by PSFMC.

The release of the pulses from the buffer stock would be made to States/ UTs and Central Agencies through strategic open market sale. For managing the buffer, professional pulses buffer management entity may also be engaged. The exercise will ensure a stable price regime for pulses and will also encourage domestic farmers to increase production of pulses.