To moderate the prices of atta, 6 LMT of wheat @Rs.21.50/kg has been allocated for Semi-Government and cooperative organizations like Kendriya Bhandar, National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Limited (NCCF) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) under the Open Market Sale Scheme [OMSS{D}] for converting to atta and offering it for sale to the public under ‘Bharat Atta’brand at an MRP (Maximum Retail Price) not exceeding Rs.27.50/kg. 

The objective is to make available atta to general consumers at an affordable rate. Apart from Bharat Atta, subsidized Bharat Dal (Chana Dal) and Onion are also being sold by the Central/State co-operative agencies through physical/mobile retail outlets.  2,75,936 MT of Bharat Atta, 2,96,802 MT of Bharat Dal (Chana) and 3,04,40,547 Kg of Onion have been sold at subsidized rates to general consumers. Government has also launched retail sales of rice under ‘Bharat’ brand at an MRP not exceeding Rs 29/Kg for general consumers.

The Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India vide Order dated 16.12.2023 directed FCI to keep the effective issue price of wheat to NAFED/NCCF/Kendriya Bhandar for Bharat Atta at Rs.1715/qtl after allowing a subsidy of Rs. 435/qtl from Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) on existing reserve price of Rs. 2150/qtl.

Bharat Atta is being sold at a Maximum Retail Price not exceeding Rs.27.50/Kg which is lower than the all India average retail prices of Atta.

NAFED/NCCF/Kendriya Bhandar are selling Bharat Atta through their physical retail outlets and mobile vans and also through other retail chains and e-commerce platforms.

As on 01.01.2024, the Stock of wheat and rice in Central Pool was 163.53 lakh MT and 181.76  lakh MT respectively which are above the buffer stocking norms.

This information was given by the Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ms. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in a written reply today in the Lok Sabha.

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(Release ID: 2003590)