The government has removed the procurement ceilings of 40% for tur, urad and masur under Price Support Scheme (PSS) operations for 2023-24.
- The decision, in effect, assures the procurement of these pulses from farmers at MSP without ceilings.
- The assured procurement of these pulses by the government at remunerative prices will help motivate the farmers to enhance sowing area in respect of tur, urad and masur in the upcoming Kharif and Rabi sowing seasons in order to enhance the production.
- It may be recalled that the government had, 2nd June, 2023 imposed stock limits on tur and urad by invoking the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 in order to prevent hoarding and unscrupulous speculation and also to improve affordability to the consumers.
- The stock limits have been made applicable to wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers, millers and importers.
Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan’ (PM-AASHA)
- A new Umbrella Scheme “Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan’ (PM-AASHA), aimed at ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce, was announced in the Union Budget for 2018.
- The Umbrella Scheme includes the mechanism of ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers and is comprised of Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) Pilot of Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme (PPPS).
- In Price Support Scheme (PSS), physical procurement of pulses, oilseeds and Copra is done by Central Nodal Agencies with proactive role of State governments.
- It is also decided that in addition to NAFED, Food Cooperation of India (FCI) will take up PSS operations in states /districts.
- The procurement expenditure and losses due to procurement will be borne by Central Government as per norms.
