Lok Sabha Question No. 5321 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-05
Subject: Budget for PM-AASHA
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: V. Kalanidhi, Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5321

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 5 TH  APRIL, 2022

## BUDGET FOR PM-AASHA

5321.  DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:

SHRI T.R. BAALU:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कल् याणमंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the budget allocation for the Pradhan MantriAnnadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) is Rs. 1 crore for the year as against an expenditure of Rs 400 crore in 2021-22;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  wind  up  the  Abhiyan  in  view  of  the drastically reduced budget for the same;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  also  aware  that  the  reductions  came  at  a  time  when assured MSP continues to be one of the key demands of farm unions that ended their yearlong protest against the three agricultural laws on the Centre's assurance that a committee on MSP would be established; and
- (e) if so, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कल् याण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) to (e) : In  order  to  provide  remunerative  price  to  the    farmers  of  notified  pulses, oilseeds  &  copra,  Government  implements  an  umbrella  scheme  of      Pradhan  Mantri Annadata  Aay  Sanrakshan  Abhiyan  (PM-AASHA)  consisting  of  Price  Support  Scheme (PSS),  Price  Deficiency  Payment  Scheme  (PDPS)  and  Pilot  Private  Procurement  & Stockiest Scheme (PPSS). Procurement of pulses, oilseeds & copra at MSP is done under PSS. However, States/UTs have an option to implement either PSS or PDPS with respect to particular notified oilseeds in a given procurement season for the entire State. Under PDPS, no physical procurement is done but direct payment of the difference between the MSP and the  selling  /  modal  price  to  pre-  registered  farmers  selling  oilseeds  of  prescribed  Fair Average Quality (FAQ) norms within the stipulated period in the notified market yard through a transparent auction process is made. Besides, States have the option to roll out Private Procurement and Stockist Scheme (PPSS) on pilot basis in district / selected APMC(s) of district for oilseeds.

As far as, the allocation of annual budget is concerned, it is meant for meeting up the reimbursement of losses incurred in the implementation of schemes & gets revised based on the actual requirements.

Under  PSS,  Government  has  provided  Government  Guarantee  amounting  to  Rs. 40,500/- cr. for extending cash credit facilities to Central Nodal Agencies i.e. NAFED & FCI for procurement of pulses, oilseeds & copra at Minimum Support Price (MSP). Central Nodal Agencies  withdraw  the  required  funds  against  the  Government  Guarantee  for  making payment of MSP value to farmers and other incidental costs involved in the PSS operations.

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