Lok Sabha Question No. 3187 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Price Stabilisation Fund
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Rao Rajendra Singh

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3187 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025

## PRICE STABILISATION FUND

## 3187. SHRI RAO RAJENDRA SINGH:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to regulate the supply of pulses, onions and potatoes;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government plans to continue allocating a Price Stabilisation Fund in order to regulate the price of the aforementioned commodities in the future; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI B.L.VERMA)

(a) & (b)  : To stabilise the volatility in the prices of certain agri-horticultural commodities Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) was set up in 2014-15. Under this scheme, dynamic buffer stock of pulses (Tur, Urad, Moong, Masur and Gram) and Onions has been created over the years.  The buffer stock maintained under the PSF are released in calibrated manner to stabilize prices and reduce price volatility by ensuring availability of these food commodities at affordable prices to the consumers.  In an effort to stabilize pulse prices and prevent hoarding, Government has mandated that various entities involved in the pulses supply chain, including importers, millers, stockists,  retailer,  traders,  regularly  disclose  their  stock  levels  on  stock  declaration  portal  of  Department  of consumer affairs.  These  measure  aims  to  enhance  market  transparency  and  ensure  adequate  availability  of pulses for consumers at affordable prices.

(c) & (d) : Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) has been approved as a sub-component of  Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) of Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare during 15 th  Finance Commission  Cycle  upto  2025-26  for  undertaking  price  stabilisation  interventions  in  agri-horticultural commodities.  Funds  for  price  interventions  under  Price  Stabilisation  Fund  (PSF)  scheme  are  being  made available through annual budgetary support and accrual of sale proceeds to the corpus fund. Adequate funds were  made  available  by  Government  under  PSF  for  intervention  to  stabilize  the  volatility  in  the  prices  of essential commodities. The details of funds allocated for PSF in past four years are given below:

| Year     |   Annual Budget Support (In Rs Crores) | Sale Proceeds (In Rs Crores)   |   Total Funds (In Rs Crores) |
|----------|----------------------------------------|--------------------------------|------------------------------|
| 2021-22  |                                2250    | 3939.00                        |                      6189    |
| 2022-23  |                                   0.01 | 4786.00                        |                      4786.01 |
| 2023-24  |                                   0.01 | 5967.00                        |                      5967.01 |
| 2024-25  |                                7000    | 7073.00*                       |                     14073    |
| 2025-26# |                                4020    | -                              |                      4020    |

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