A massive operation for transport and milling of pulses is underway in the country to distribute one kilogram of pulses to about twenty crore households for three months under the Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. <br />''<br />''This operation entails lifting of un-milled pulses from the godowns, getting the pulses cleaned and then reaching them to the states for distribution. Under the scheme, NAFED will distribute around 5.88 lakh metric tonnes pulses to about 20 crore National Food Security Act households through ration shops for three months. Most of the beneficiaries will receive the quota for the first month within April or latest by the first week of May. <br />''<br />''Several States and Union Territories would be able to distribute pulses for all three months in the first go itself. For the remaining states, the efforts are being made to complete the distribution for all three months within May itself, preferably within third week of May. This operation will involve about two lakh truck trips and loading and unloading operation over a period of four weeks. <br />''<br />''Department of Consumer Affairs has set up five groups of officers headed by Joint Secretaries to coordinate with states, NAFED, Dal mills and warehousing corporations. The Cabinet Secretary is also personally monitoring the distribution on day to day basis.<br />''<br />''AIR Correspondent reports, the  distribution of pulses is  intended  to meet the protein needs of people during this hour of crisis due to COVID-19 lockdown. The Central government has allowed use of its stock of pulses lying in about 165 NAFED godowns across the country for this scheme. <br />''<br />''Over 100 Dal mills across the country have been pressed into service so far. The States and Union Territories have taken one-third of the monthly requirement of pulses to final destinations for distribution. <br />''<br />''17 States and UTs including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu have begun distribution of pulses. As on date, about 30 thousand metric tonnes of pluses have been distributed. <br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">While several other States and UTs have decided to distribute pulses along with food grains distribution in the first week of May for reasons of social distancing and public safety. Many States and UTs, particularly the smaller ones like Andamans, Chandigarh, Dadra Nagar Haveli, Goa, Ladakh, Puducherry and Lakshadweep have been provided cleaned pulses for all three months in one go. </span><br />