Union Government to Distribute Pulses through Post Offices

Union Government will sell subsidized pulses through the vast network of post offices across the country. The decision was taken at the meeting of the inter-ministerial committee on prices of vital commodities headed by the Consumer Affairs Secretary.

Focus of the Committee

  • Ensure accessibility and affordability of essential commodities, specifically pulses.
  • Control prices of pulses, sugar, and other essential commodities.
  • Decided to release more grams (chana) from buffer stock to increase accessibility via retail distribution at affordable prices in the festive season.

Why Post Offices to Distribute Pulses?

  • Ensure adequate supply of the pulses during festival season.
  • India՚s huge postal networks serving many rural places will distribute the pulses, mainly, tur, urad, and chana.
  • Strong network with 1.54 lakh post offices (1.39 lakh in rural areas) .
  • Enable government to release more pulses from buffer stock and sell them at subsidized prices.
  • Central Government will release tur and urad from its buffer stocks to state governments, government agencies like NAFED and Mother Dairy for retail distribution at a subsidized rate.

About NAFED

  • National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) was founded on 2nd October 1958 on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti under the Multi State Co-operative Societies Act.
  • Promotes Co-operative marketing of Agricultural Produce for benefit of farmers and consumers.
  • NAFED՚s main members- Agricultural farmers have all the authority as members of the General Body in the working of Nafed.

Examrace Team at Aug 20, 2021