Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, Piyush Goyal, is scheduled to inaugurate the subsidized Bharat Atta sale today at 2 pm. Bharat Atta, priced at an affordable rate of Rs. 27.50 per kilogram, will be made accessible through cooperative institutions such as NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd.) and NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India), among others.
Additional details about this initiative will be revealed by the minister during the launch event.
In February, the Union government had indicated its intention to distribute three lakh tonnes of wheat to various cooperatives and Kendriya Bhandar, in addition to the sale of wheat flour. As a measure to counter inflation, the government has reduced the price of Bharat Atta from Rs. 29.5 to Rs. 27.5 per kilogram.
Simultaneously, the sale of subsidized Bharat Dal is already underway to help stabilize prices in the pulse market.
Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra, just last month, had anticipated an ample supply of wheat, rice, and sugar, ensuring stable prices during the festive season. He confirmed the government’s readiness to increase OMSS (Open Market Sale Scheme) sales from two lakh tonnes if the situation demands, given the 3.5% annual inflation rate in wheat.
The government continues to prohibit the export of wheat and rice as part of its strategy to ensure sufficient availability and affordable access for consumers. Despite requests from certain traders and exporters for relaxation, including export permissions, the government remains steadfast in its decision to limit exports, prioritizing the needs of India’s vast population of 1.4 billion.
