States need to set up price stabilisation funds: Ram Vilas Paswan

NEW DELHI: The Centre has asked states to set up separate price stabilisation funds, similar to the one established by the Centre, to help regulate price volatility in important agri-horticultural commodities such as onion, potatoes and pulses.

On Tuesday, minister for food, public distribution and consumer affairs Ram Vilas Paswan also asked states facing shortage of onions and pulses to source them from the Centre’s buffer stock, which has 1.4 million tonnes of pulses and 56,000 tonnes of onions.

“West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have their own PSF. More states should join the league. States facing shortage of onions and pulses may ask us for supply,” Paswan said at the fifth national consultation meeting with ministers of states who have gathered to deliberate on consumer issues. “We will ensure that prices of these commodities don’t rise.”


Paswan said the Centre has also sought suggestions from states on changes in the Essential Commodities Act.