Launch of Bharat Chana Dal Phase II by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi

Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi has launched the retail phase of Bharat Chana Dal Phase II in Delhi-NCR, marking a significant step in the government’s commitment to provide essential food items at affordable prices. This initiative includes flagging off mobile vans from NCCF, NAFED, and Kendriya Bhandar to facilitate the distribution of pulses during the festive season.

Retail Pricing and Availability

In this phase, 3 lakh tons of Chana from the price stabilization buffer will be converted into Chana Dal, sold at an MRP of ₹70 per kg, and Chana Whole at ₹58 per kg. The government has also expanded the Bharat brand to include Moong and Masur Dals, priced at ₹107, ₹93, and ₹89 per kg, respectively. This timely resumption of Bharat Chana Dal is expected to bolster supplies for consumers in Delhi-NCR.

Policy Measures for Pulses

The government has implemented various policies to ensure the availability of pulses, including raising the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and allowing duty-free imports of Tur, Urad, Masur, and Chana until March 2025. These actions, along with recent awareness campaigns for farmers, aim to enhance domestic production and stabilize prices, which have shown a declining trend since July 2024.

Vegetable Procurement and Distribution

Additionally, the government procured 4.7 lakh tonnes of onions for price stabilization, with 1.15 lakh tonnes already disposed of across 21 states. Innovative bulk transportation methods via rail rakes have been introduced to facilitate faster distribution. Indents have been placed for shipments to multiple locations in the North-East, ensuring wider availability of onions at reasonable prices.