Continuation of PM-AASHA Schemes

Continuation of PM-AASHA Schemes

Union Cabinet Approval: The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) schemes.

Objective:

Financial Details

Budgetary Requirement:

Total financial outgo for PM-AASHA: ₹35,000 crore during the 15th Finance Commission cycle (up to 2025-26).
Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for rabi season (phosphatic and potassic fertilizers) set at a tentative budget of ₹24,475.53 crore.

Components of PM-AASHA

Converged Schemes:

Consumer Protection Measures

Extension of PSF:

Aims to protect consumers from extreme price volatility of agri-horticultural commodities.
Involves maintaining a strategic buffer stock of pulses and onions for calibrated release.
Discourages hoarding and speculation.
Ensures affordable supply to consumers.

Subsidy Assurance:

Ensures availability of fertilizers to farmers at subsidized, affordable prices.
Rationalization of subsidy on P and K fertilizers based on recent trends in international prices.

PYQ (2017)

Consider the following statements :

The nation-wide ‘Soil Health Card Scheme’ aims at

expanding the cultivable area under irrigation.
enabling the banks to assess the quantum of loans to be granted to farmers on the basis of soil quality,
checking the overuse of fertilizers in farmlands.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (b)

Practice question

Consider the following statements:

How many of the above are component of PM AASHA scheme?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) All four

Ans: (c)

Explanation

Components of PM-AASHA

- Converged Schemes:
  - - Price Support Scheme (PSS)
  - - Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF)
  - - Price Deficit Payment Scheme (PDPS)
  - - Market Intervention Scheme (MIS)

Components of PM-AASHA