FM Nirmala Sitharaman extends Operation Greens; all fruits, vegetable produce included now

Giving details of Rs 20 lakh Crore stimulus package for the Indian economy to counter Coronavirus impact on the national economy, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today made a big announcement by extending Operation Greens to all fruits and vegetables from just tomato, onion and potatoes earlier. Announcing the Modi government road map from TOP to TOTAL, she went on to announce Rs 500 crore stimulus to help fruits and vegetable farmers hit by Coronavirus pandemic.

While making this announcement Nirmala Sitharaman said, "In a major move to help fruit farmers, Government of India has decided to move from TOP to TOTAL by extending Operation Greens from Tomatoes, Onion and Potatoes (TOP) to all fruits and vegetables." She announced 50 per cent subsidy on transportation from surplus to deficient markets and 50 per cent subsidy on storage including cold storage.

See Zee Business Live TV streaming below:

She said that the stimulus package of Rs 500 crore will be utilized to oil the supply-chain that has been disrupted during the Coronavirus spread that affected vegetable and fruit farmers sales. She said that the stimulus would contain distressed sales and reduction of price of perishable fruits and vegetables at the farm level.

See PIB tweet below:

TOP to TOTAL

In a major announcement, Government extends Operation Greens from Tomatoes, Onion and Potatoes (TOP) to ALL fruits and vegetables#AatmaNirbharDesh #AatmanirbharBharat pic.twitter.com/EGRSp9oGqe

— PIB India #StayHome #StaySafe (@PIB_India) May 15, 2020

Speaking about the possible outcome that is being aimed in this TOP to TOTAL move, Sitharaman said that better price realization to farmers, reduction in wastage and affordability of products for the consumers are expected to take place from this Rs 500 crore TOP to TOTAL stimulus.