Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday launched phase 2 of retailing of subsidized Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice by flagging off mobile vans in the city. The vans, operated by the National Consumer Cooperative Federation of India (NCCF), National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and Kendriya Bhandar, will deliver these essential goods to consumers.

In line with the government’s strategy to control inflation, Bharat Atta is being sold at Rs 30 per kg and Bharat Rice at Rs 34 per kg, both at their maximum retail price (MRP).

Joshi said at the event, “This initiative is an affirmation of the Government of India’s commitment to ensuring availability of essential food items to consumers at subsidized prices. Direct interventions through retailing of Bharat-branded staple food items, such as rice, atta and dal, have helped maintain a stable price regime,” IANS reported.

Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice will be available for purchase through stores and mobile vans operated by Kendriya Bhandar, NAFED and NCCF, as well as major e-commerce platforms and major retail chains. In phase 2, ‘Bharat’ brand of Atta and rice will be sold in 5 kg and 10 kg bags, according to an official release.

In the initial phase of Phase 2, a total of 3.69 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat and 2.91 LMT of rice will be made available for retail sale. During phase 1, around 15.20 LMT of Bharat Atta and 14.58 LMT of Bharat Rice were sold to consumers at subsidized prices.

Taking stock of paddy procurement in Punjab, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi reaffirmed the central government’s commitment to achieving the target of 184 LMT (lakh metric tonnes) paddy procurement in the ‘State, ensuring that every grain brought to Mandis by farmers will be procured.

As of November 4, a total of 104.63 LMT of paddy had arrived at Punjab mandis, with state agencies and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) purchasing 98.42 LMT. Paddy is purchased at the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 2,320 per quintal for ‘A’ grade paddy, as fixed by the Government of India.

The paddy purchased by the central government in the current Kharif marketing season (2024-25) amounts to Rs 20,557 crore. Joshi added that this benefited 5.38 lakh farmers with MSP payments being directly credited to their bank accounts.

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