Despite the upcoming festive season, the prices of major essential commodities in India appear to have stabilized, thanks to the government’s effective price control management.
The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Textiles, and Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, flagged off 100 mobile vans for the sale of wheat flour (Atta) under the ‘Bharat’ brand today from Kartavya Path, New Delhi. Speaking on the occasion, he emphasized that the Centre’s intervention has successfully stabilized the prices of essential commodities. Furthermore, he mentioned that various measures were implemented in the past, such as addressing the prices of tomatoes and onions, to mitigate price fluctuations.
The atta will be available at an MRP not exceeding ₹ 27.50/Kg. This is the latest among a series of steps taken by the GoI for the welfare of ordinary consumers. The launch of retail sale of ‘Bharat’ brand Atta will increase supplies in the market at affordable rates, and will help in continued moderation of prices of this important food item.
‘Bharat’ Atta will be available at all physical and mobile outlets of Kendriya Bhandar, NAFED and NCCF from today and will be expanded to other co-op/retail outlets.
2.5 LMT of wheat @ Rs.21.50/kg has been allocated for Semi-Government and cooperative organizations i.e. Kendriya Bhandar, NCCF and NAFED under Open Market Sale Scheme [OMSS (D)] for converting to atta and offer it for sale to the public under ‘Bharat Atta’ brand at an MRP not exceeding ₹ 27.50/Kg.
He added that all these efforts have also benefitted farmers a great deal. Goyal said that the produce of farmers is being purchased by the Centre and thereafter, is being provided to the consumers at a subsidised rate. He stressed that Centre’s intervention has led to stabilise prices of various commodities. He said that Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has the vision to help the consumers as well as the farmers.
As per the release by Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, government has shown unwavering commitment for welfare of sugarcane farmers as well as domestic consumers. On one hand, with payment of more than ₹ 1.09 lakh crores to farmers, more than 96% cane dues of last sugar season have already been paid leading to the lowest cane dues pendency in the sugar sector history. On the other hand, Indian consumers are also getting one of the cheapest sugar in the world. While global sugar prices are touching 13 years high with increase of about 40% in one year, retail prices of sugar in India have just 2% inflation in last 10 years and less than 5% inflation in last one year.
(Source: PIB)
