Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) aims to ensure Minimum Support Price (MSP) to farmers of notified oilseeds and pulses qualifying Fair Average Quality (FAQ) norms. PM-AASHA is an umbrella scheme comprising Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) and Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme (PPSS). These schemes are implemented at the request of the State Governments/ UTs.
Features of the Scheme
- PSS:
. Physical procurement of pulses, oilseeds and copra will be done by central nodal agencies with the proactive role of state governments.
. In addition to NAFED, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) will take up PSS operations in states/ districts.
. The procurement expenditure and losses due to procurement will be borne by the central government.
- PDPS:
. It does not involve any physical procurement but envisages direct payment of the difference between the MSP and the selling/ modal price to pre- registered farmers.
. PSS is implemented for procurement of pulses, oilseeds and copra at MSP, whereas PDPS is implemented for oilseeds. However, States/ UTs may choose either PSS or PDPS in a given procurement season with respect to a particular oilseed crop for the entire State.
- PPSS:
. It is akin to PSS, in that it involves physical procurement of the notified commodity.
. PPSS is also implemented for oilseeds on pilot basis and States have the option for implementation of PPSS in district/selected APMC(s) of district involving the participation of private stockists.
. However, if farmers get better prices in comparison to MSP, they are free to sell their produce in the open market.
