Goyal launches subsidized chana dal at Rs 60/kg

The Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister, Piyush Goyal, launched the sale of subsidized chana dal at      Rs 60 per kg in Delhi-NCR on Monday.

The dal is being sold under the brand name ‘Bharat Dal’ and is being made available through the retail outlets of the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED).

The chana dal is being sold in one kg and 30 kg packs. The one kg pack is being sold at Rs 60 per kg, while the 30 kg pack is being sold at Rs 55 per kg.

The introduction of ‘Bharat Dal’ is a major step taken by the Central Government towards making pulses available to consumers at affordable prices.

The chana dal is being made available at a subsidized price as the government has converted its chana stock into chana dal.

The milling and packaging of the chana dal is being undertaken by NAFED. The dal is being distributed through NAFED’s retail outlets in Delhi-NCR, as well as through the outlets of NCCF, Kendriya Bhandar, and Safal.

In addition to being made available through retail outlets, the chana dal is also being made available to state governments for supplies under their welfare schemes, police, jails, and for distribution through their consumer cooperative outlets.

Chana is the most abundantly produced pulse in India and is consumed in several forms all over the country.

Chana whole is soaked and boiled to make salad, while roasted chana is served as a snack. Fried chana dal can also be used as an alternative to tur dal, curries, and soups.

Chana besan is a major raw material for namkeens and sweets.

Chana has multiple nutritional health benefits. It is rich in fiber, iron, potassium, vitamin B, selenium, beta carotene, and choline.

These nutrients are essential for human health and help in controlling anemia, blood sugar, bone health, and mental health.

The launch of ‘Bharat Dal’ is a welcome move by the government. The subsidized price of the dal will help consumers to afford this essential food item.

The availability of the dal through retail outlets will also make it more accessible to consumers.