In an effort to control costs amidst the demand of the festive season, the government reduced the price of Bharat Atta on 6 November.
Bharat Atta is a state-produced product, from Rs 29.50 per kilogram (kg) by Rs 2 per kg. The wheat flour product will be sold at Rs 27.50 per kg from now on.
The subsidized price is below the current market price of Rs 36-70 per kg, which varies based on the quality and location.
Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution launched the scheme, which was first announced in February of this year.
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He stated that 2,50,000 tonnes of wheat will be lifted under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) at Rs 21.50 per kg by semi-government and cooperative organisations like the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), the National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India Ltd (NCCF), and Kendriya Bhandar in order to be converted into atta (wheat flour).
This product, called 'Bharat Atta', will be available for purchase by the general public at a price of Rs 27.50 per kilogram. It will be sold through 800 mobile vans and 2,000 retail outlets.
“This is the latest among a series of steps taken by the GoI for the welfare of ordinary consumers. The launch of retail sales of Bharat Atta will increase supplies in the market at an affordable rate and will help in the continued moderation of prices of this important food item," Goyal said.
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The minister also mentioned that the government's initiative to sell a limited number of essential commodities, such as chana dal, tomato, and onion, at a reduced rate is proving to be effective in managing the increase in prices.
