State to sell subsidised tur dal to the poor via PDS

With the state government being unable to bring down prices of tur dal, it has decided to provide the same to the poor through the public distribution system (PDS) on an experimental basis for two months.

The state cabinet on Tuesday took the decision for the benefit of the 70 lakh-odd families in Maharashtra.

Minister for food and civil supplies Girish Bapat said tur dal would be provided to beneficiaries of the Antyoday Anna Yojana as well as families below the poverty line (BPL). The Yojana is aimed at providing foodgrains to the poorest of BPL families — there are 24.72 lakh families availing benefits under it.

Bapat added that 45.34 lakh BPL families would benefit from this decision as they would be given 1 kg of tur dal a month through PDS shops. He said that because people all over the state do not eat tur dal daily, though the need per month is 1.5 kg, 1 kg is expected to suffice.

Bapat informed that the Centre has already provided 700 metric tons of tur dal to Maharashtra and would be giving 1,100 metric tons more in the coming days, adding that this season's crop is due to arrive in the market soon and the government would ensure that there is no shortage.

He said that since the state can't reduce the rate, it has sent a proposal for a new law in this regard to the president for his assent.