Centre looks to pause pulse stock sales as El Nino risk grows

Centre asked agriculture ministry to relax PSS norm requiring disposal of pulse stocks within nine months.

Relaxation aims to preserve inventories amid El Nino-related weather risks that could hit kharif production and fuel food inflation.

Department of Consumer Affairs requested exemption for 2025-26 tur and chana stocks to meet potential supply shortfall.

Government has transferred 300,000 tonnes tur, 500,000 tonnes chana, and 50,000 tonnes urad from PSS to PSF buffer this year, worth ₹5,882.5 crore at MSP.

Ministry currently holds about 4.5 million tonnes total pulses stock, including 1.1 million tonnes tur and 2.3 million tonnes chana.