Parliament Question: Pulses in PDS

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DiSTRIBUTION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3130 TO BE ANSWERED ON lITH MARCH, 2026 PULSES IN PDS 3130. SHRI CHANDAN CHAUHAN: Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state: (a): whether the Government proposes to include pulses or other protein-rich edible items under the Public Distribution System (PDS) to enhance nutritional security among beneficiaries and if so, the details thereof including the types of pulses/food items proposed to be distributed, quantity per household and the proposed timeline for implementation; (b): whether any pilot projects have been conducted in this regard in any State/Union Territory and if so, the outcome thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c): whether additional budgetary allocation is proposed for the same and if so, the details of financial implications of such inclusion; (d): whether pulses were distributed under PDS in the financial year 2024-25; and (e): if so, the details thereof, State-wise especially in Uttar Pradesh, district-wise and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA) (a) to (e): Public Distribution System (PDS) is governed as per the provisions of National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFS A) wherein the term “foodgrains” is defined as rice, wheat or coarse grains (including millets) or any combination thereof conforming to such quality norms as may be determined, by order, by the Central Government from time to time. In order to improve the level of nutrition among the beneficiaries covered under the NFS A, all the States/UTs have been advised to procure millets and distribute to NFS A beneficiaries as per local consumption preferences and as per guidelines issued by the Central Government from time to time. There is no proposal by the Union Government to supply pulses at subsidized rates through Public Distribution System (PDS). S( jcR qc RSc