Govt. taking steps to provide food items at cheaper rates

Government is taking steps to provide food items especially pulses and sugar at cheaper rates. For the first time in the country, it has been decided to create a buffer stock for pulses on the lines of wheat and rice. The buffer stock limit of 1.5 lakh tonnes has now been raised to 8 lakh tonnes. In addition to this, a bonus over and above the MSP on pulses has been announced, which will enable farmers to go for maximum sowing of

pulses. Supply of pulses in the country is 76 lakh tonnes short of the demand, and to meet this demand, possibilities of additional imports is being explored.

In an important decision, the Government has relaxed FDI norms and has allowed 100 per cent FDI in food processing, through automatic route. 

The Government is hopeful that these steps taken in the food processing sector would be felt in the coming months, which would help in containing the prices of fruits and vegetables.

The Central Government is taking steps to contain the prices of pulses, but the state governments also have to play a proactive role. 

They have to make effective arrangements to ensure that the affordable pulses provided by the centre reach the common people, and strict action needs to be taken against hoarders. 

The Centre is hopeful that very soon the soaring prices of vegetables due to seasonal factors would come to the normal level. 

The Centre is working on PM Krishi Sichaai Yojana to boost agro production in the long run, so that every farm gets water and the input costs of farmers is reduced.