Centre to Provide Pulses to States for Welfare Schemes

11-Apr-2026 05:31 PM

New Delhi. The Union Department of Consumer Affairs has offered states the opportunity to procure pulses from the buffer stock for distribution under welfare schemes such as PM POSHAN and the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program.

The buffer stock currently holds a reserve of approximately 2.8 million tonnes of pulses. This includes Moong, Masoor, Chana, and Tur. Government procurement of Chana, Masoor, and Tur is currently underway. The Centre suggests that state governments should prioritize procuring pulses from the central buffer stock for their schemes, rather than relying on the open market.

According to the Department of Consumer Affairs, states are currently compelled to navigate a complex tendering process to procure pulses, whereas they could easily obtain them from the buffer stock. Currently, the buffer stock holds reserves of 700,000 tonnes each of Chana and Tur.

This buffer stock has been built using produce procured from farmers at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) as well as pulses imported from abroad. By procuring pulses from the buffer stock, state governments would assist the Centre in managing the stock more efficiently, while simultaneously benefiting themselves.