The Centre on Monday announced the sale of subsidised chana dal under the brand name ‘Bharat Dal’ to provide relief to consumers from price rise.
The dal will be available for Rs 60 per kg for a 1 kg pack and Rs 55 per kg for a 30 kg pack.
"The retail outlets of the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) in Delhi-NCR are selling the chana dal. The introduction of ‘Bharat Dal’ is a major step taken by the Centre Government towards making pulses available to consumers at affordable prices by converting chana stock of the government into chana dal," Union Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday.
The milling and packaging of the chana dal is undertaken by National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) for distribution through its retail outlets in Delhi-NCR and also through the outlets of NCCF, Kendriya Bhandar and Safal. The chana dal, under this arrangement, is also made available to state governments for supplies under their welfare schemes, police, jails, and also for distribution through their Consumer Cooperative outlets, said a statement from the ministry.
Chana, also known as chickpeas, is one of the most commonly consumed pulses in India. Chana dal can be used as an alternative to tur dal. It is a key ingredient, used in the making in namkeens and sweets.