Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi launches Phase – II retail sale of Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice

Newdelhi:5/11/24:The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New & Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, launched Phase – II of the retail sale of Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice by flagging off mobile vans of NCCF, NAFED, and Kendriya Bhandar here today, in the presence of Minister of State, Shri B.L. Verma.

Bharat Atta at MRP of Rs.30 per kg and Bharat Rice at MRP of Rs.34 per kg is being made available to consumers during Phase II. While interacting with media persons during the event, Shri Joshi stated that the initiative is an affirmation of the Government of India’s commitment to ensuring the availability of essential food items to the consumers at subsidized prices. Direct interventions through the retail sale of basic food items under Bharat Brands such as rice, atta, and dal have helped in maintaining a stable price regime, he added.

In the initial stage of Phase – II, 3.69 LMT of Wheat and 2.91 LMT of Rice are made available for retail sale. During Phase – I, around 15.20 LMT of Bharat Atta and 14.58 LMT Bharat Rice was made available to general consumers at subsidized rates.

Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice will be available at stores and mobile vans of Kendriya Bhandar, NAFED, and NCCF and e-commerce /big chain retailers. During the Phase II. ‘Bharat’ brand Atta and Rice will be sold in 5 Kg and 10 Kg bags.

Updating on the Procurement of paddy in Punjab, the Union Minister reiterated the commitment of the Central Government to achieve the targeted procurement estimate of 184 LMT in Punjab and procure every single grain brought to mandis by the farmers. As of 4^th November 2024, a total quantity of 104.63 LMT of paddy has arrived in the Punjab mandis out of which 98.42 LMT had been procured by State agencies and FCI. The paddy is being purchased at MSP @ Rs 2320/- as decided by Government of India for Grade ‘A’ paddy. The total paddy purchased by Government of India till date in the ongoing KMS 2024-25, amounts to Rs 20557 Crores. This has benefitted 5.38 lakh farmers and the MSP amount has been credited to their bank accounts.