The Centre has asked the Agriculture Ministry to relax the Price Support Scheme (PSS) rule that requires government-procured pulse stocks to be disposed of within nine months. The move aims to maintain larger buffer stocks amid concerns that El Niño-related weather conditions could affect the ongoing kharif crop and push up food prices.
The Price Support Scheme (PSS) allows the government to procure pulses, oilseeds and copra from farmers at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) when market prices fall below the MSP, helping safeguard farmers’ incomes.
According to an internal communication, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) has requested that 2025-26 stocks of tur and chana be exempted from the existing disposal timeline. Retaining these stocks would help the government respond quickly to any supply shortages caused by adverse weather and ensure pulses remain available at affordable prices.
In its communication to Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra, Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare noted that the government is closely monitoring pulse availability and prices during the current kharif season. The letter highlighted emerging uncertainties linked to El Niño, which could impact crop acreage and production in some regions, although the full extent of the impact is yet to be assessed.
The government has already shifted 300,000 tonnes of tur, 500,000 tonnes of chana and 50,000 tonnes of urad from PSS procurement into the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) buffer, involving stocks valued at ₹5,882.5 crore. Officials indicated that transferring additional stocks may be difficult due to funding limitations.
Government data shows that current pulse stocks total around 4.5 million tonnes, including approximately 1.1 million tonnes of tur, 2.3 million tonnes of chana, 650,000 tonnes of masur, 70,000 tonnes of urad and 370,000 tonnes of moong.
The Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) serves as a strategic buffer, allowing the government to release stocks into the market during periods of shortage to control prices and improve supply.
The proposal comes as kharif pulse sowing remains below last year’s levels, with overall pulses acreage down 7.5% and tur cultivation nearly 12% lower than the corresponding period last year.
Economists believe maintaining adequate buffer stocks is a prudent step, as rain-dependent crops such as tur and moong remain vulnerable to adverse weather. A weaker harvest could tighten supplies and contribute to higher food inflation, making the availability of government reserves crucial for stabilising the market.
