Punjab govt to buy 6000 tonnes pulses for PDS

Chandigarh, Jun 26 (UNI) In view of the sky-rocketing prices of pulses, the Punjab government has decided to buy 6000 quintals of the foodgrain (pulses) for distribution under the Public Distribution System (PDS) to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in the state.

The state government will purchase the duty free pulses imported by Markfed or other traders and distribute these through PDS, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh disclosed at a media conference here today.

The two main pulses that would be purchased are arhar and moong, as these are consumed in large quantaties by those who avail of PDS facilities, he added. These pulses will be cheaper by at least 25 percent of the prevailing market price in the state, he added.

This scheme is expected to benefit at least five lakh BPL families, Capt Singh added.

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