With talk of the impending general elections getting louder, the government is likely to consider a proposal for subsidised sale of pulses through the public distribution system. The proposal forwarded by the Consumer Affairs Ministry is likely to be discussed by the Union cabinet tomorrow wherein the government plans to sell 1-kg pulses to each ration card holder at less than market price.

The cabinet would deliberate on the quantum of subsidy to be given on sale of pulses and also the process through which the distribution would take place through the states, sources said. The government is aiming to ensure 1 kg of pulses per family at a price that at least Rs 10 per kg less than market price. The Agriculture Ministry had already favoured the scheme of supplying pulses at subsidized prices through ration shops in the next one and half months especially through state government outlets like Sahakari Bhandars and cooperative stores.

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar had already told the Parliament that if the government has to ensure pulses available to the weaker sections, there is no other alternative than supplying the poor man’s protein through the PDS. Although finer details on the quantum of subsidy is yet to be finalised but if the pattern of edible oils is followed then a 25 per cent subsidy at current prices should come to something around Rs 6-7 per kg. The government is planning to distribute around 1 million tonnes of pulses in the coming few months to curb a spurt in its prices.

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