Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution & New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, launched the retail phase of Bharat Chana Dal Phase II in the Delhi-NCR region today. He flagged off mobile vans from NCCF, NAFED, and Kendriya Bhandar, joined by Ministers of State, B.L. Verma and Smt. Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya.
In Phase – II of Bharat Chana Dal, 3 lakh tons of Chana stock from the price stabilisation buffer is being converted to Chana Dal and Chana Whole for retail sale to consumers at MRP of Rs.70 per kg and Rs.58 per kg, respectively. Apart from Chana, the government had also expanded the Bharat brand to Moong and Masur Dals. The Bharat Moong Dal is retailed at Rs.107 per kg, Bharat Moong Sabut at Rs.93 per kg and Bharat Masur Dal at Rs.89 per kg. The resumption of Bharat Chana Dal at this time will enhance the supplies to consumers of Delhi-NCR in this festive season.
During the event, Joshi emphasized that this initiative reflects the Government of India’s commitment to providing essential foods at affordable prices. Direct interventions through retail sales of staples like rice, flour, dals, and onions have helped maintain price stability.
The Centre has implemented various policies to ensure the availability of pulses. To encourage domestic production, the government has increased the minimum support price (MSP) for pulses annually and announced the procurement policy for Tur, Urad, and Masur without a ceiling for the 2024-25 season. During the Kharif 2024-25 sowing season, NCCF and NAFED conducted awareness campaigns, seed distribution, and pre-registration of farmers for guaranteed procurement, with plans to continue these efforts in the upcoming Rabi sowing season. To support domestic production and facilitate imports, the government has allowed duty-free imports of Tur, Urad, Masur, and Chana until March 31, 2025, and Yellow Peas until December 31, 2024. This year’s increased area coverage of Kharif pulses and continuous imports have led to a downward trend in prices since July 2024, with retail prices of Tur dal, Urad dal, Moong dal, and Masur dal either declining or remaining stable over the past three months.
Regarding vegetables, the government procured 4.7 lakh tonnes of onions from the rabi crop for the price stabilization buffer through NCCF and NAFED. The disposal of onions from the buffer began on September 5, 2024, with 1.15 lakh tonnes already sold. NCCF has sold onions at 77 centers across 21 states, while NAFED has done so in 43 centers across 16 states. To expedite disposal, bulk transportation by rail has been introduced. NCCF transported 1,600 MT (42 BCN wagons, roughly 53 trucks) of onions from Nashik to Delhi via the Kanda Express, arriving on October 20, 2024. NAFED also arranged transportation of 800–840 MT of onions to Chennai by rail, with the train leaving Nashik on October 22, 2024.
NCCF has placed orders for shipments by rail to Lucknow and Varanasi. The Department of Consumer Affairs has requested Indian Railways to facilitate transportation of onion rakes from Nashik to various locations in the northeastern region, including New Jalpaiguri, Dibrugarh, New Tinsukia, and Changsari. This initiative aims to ensure a wider availability of onions across India at reasonable prices for consumers.
(Source: PIB)
