Govt to tap postal network for distribution of pulses from buffer stock
14 Oct 2016
The government has decided to use postal network for distribution of subsidised pulses and release more Chana from the buffer stock to ensure availability of these commodities at reasonable prices during the ongoing festival season.
The decisions were taken at a meeting of the Inter Ministerial Committee on prices of essential commodities headed by consumer affairs secretary Hem Pande in New Delhi.
The committee reviewed the availability and prices of essential commodities, specially pulses and suggested that in the absence of government outlets in the states postal networks should be used for the distribution.
The inter ministerial committee also recommended release of more chana from the buffer stock to check prices,
It was observed that there are declining trends in the prices of pulses in recent weeks. Prices some of the other commodities are stable. The committee also reviewed procurement arrangements of Kharif pulses by government agencies. It was informed that so far 500 procurement centres have been opened and farmers are being paid through check or bank transfer instantly. The government has set up procurement target of 50,000 tonnes for current Kharif pulses.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of the ministry of agriculture, food, commerce, revenue besides agencies like MMTC, NAFED etc.