Centre starts chana procurement at MSP for maintaining buffer stock

The Centre on Tuesday said it has started procuring chana (gram) from farmers at a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for maintaining the buffer stock to check prices and meet the demand of those states which want to distribute under their welfare schemes. Speaking to reporters, Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said the agriculture ministry has indicated chana yields are intact and there is "no concern about production as of now." Meanwhile, states have been directed to make sure traders, importers, and millers declare their stock position of pulses effective from April 15 in a bid to check hoarding and contain price rise, she said. The Consumer Affairs Department has called a meeting on Wednesday to discuss with importers, traders, customs, and state officials on the issue of imported pulses lying at customs, she added. The MSP for chana for the 2024-25 rabi marketing season is Rs 5,440 per quintal. "With the increase in the arrival of chana crop, mandi prices have softened and ..