Price Support Schemes (PSS):
- Under PSS, the procurement of oil seeds, pulses and cotton through Central Nodal Agencies at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) is undertaken.
- This scheme is implemented at the request of the concerned State Government which exempts the procured commodities from levy of mandi tax and assist central nodal agencies in logistics.
- Objectives of PSS:
- To provide remunerative prices to the growers for their produce with a view to encourage higher investment and production and
- To safeguard the interest of consumers by making available supplies at reasonable prices
Recent decision:
- Under this approved Scheme, the States/UT Governments are offered to lift 88 lakh MT of Tur, Chana, Masoor, Moong and Urad at discount of Rs.15 per Kg.
- This will be one-time dispensation for a period of 12 months.
- They can utilize these pulses in their various Welfare Schemes like Mid-Day Meal, Public Distribution System, Integrated Child Development Programmes (ICDP) etc.
- The move comes in the aftermath of country witnessing an all-time high production of pulses during the last 2 years.
- The decision will not only enable the States/UTs to use pulses in various Welfare Schemes, but will also make available the warehouses for storage of commodities procured under Price Support Scheme.
