Question : Budget for PM-AASHA

(a) whether the Government is aware that the budget allocation for the Pradhan Mantri-Annadata 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 year-long 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?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(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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