AMN / NEW DELHI
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, CCEA has approved utilisation of pulses from the buffer stock for meeting the protein component under various Central Government schemes providing nutrition to beneficiaries.
The move will help ensure an adequate supply of nutrients and pulses under the various schemes including Mid DayMeal, hospitals as well as Ministries and Departments providing food, catering and hospitality services.
To give effect to the decision, the CCEA has empowered the concerned Ministries and Departments to carry out suitable amendments in their schemes and guidelines to enable them to utilise pulses from the buffer stock.
The disposal through the Central Government Schemes is in addition to the disposal of pulses from the buffer through open market sale and supply to States. However, the cost of pulses supplied to States would in no case be higher than the market price.
In case of non-availability of pulses in the buffer, the concerned Departments may revert to the current system of making nutrition available.