Punjab govt to buy 6,000 quintal pulses for PDS

Moga, June 29 (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.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Avtar Henry while addressing a press conference at village Ramoonwala Kalan said that government has decided to revive the PDS system and wheat, pulses, rice and kerosene would be distributed through these ration shops from the third week of July.

The Minister said the state government would purchase the duty free pulses imported by Markfed and PUNSUP.

The two main pulses that would be purchased are arhar and moong, as these are consumed in large quantaties by those who avail PDS facilities, he added.

He said people living below the poverty line would be able to get 50 per cent subsidy and people living above poverty line would get 35 per cent subsidy.

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

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