The consumer affairs, food and public distribution ministry has decided to sell Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice at subsidized rates through mobile vans at different railway stations, across the country ahead of the general elections.

The price of Bharat Atta is Rs 27.50 per kg while it is Rs 29 per kg for Bharat Rice. Pijush Goyal, consumer affairs and food minister, during the first week of February had flagged off 100 mobile vans in Delhi for selling of central government’s subsidized Bharat Rice in 5 kg and 10 kg packs. On 15 March, a day before the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced dates of Lok Sabha (LS) polls in the country, on Saturday, Neeraj Sharma, executive director passenger marketing, in the Railway Board, directed general managers of all zonal railways to allow ‘placement of mobile van for sale of Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice at circulating areas of railway stations during evening hours.’

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“Accordingly, it has now been decided that a pilot project of 3 months, may be initiated wherein mobile vans vending Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice at subsidized rates to general consumers, including railway passengers will be permitted at circulating areas of stations,” Mr Sharma states in his circular. The main intention of this pilot project is to provide accessibility to affordable foodgrains under the consumer affairs, food and distribution ministry that will provide the list of stations along with names of implementing agencies and their contact details.

The divisional railway managers (DRMs) have been asked to earmark locations for parking mobile vans in their respective railway stations. Locations for parking mobile vans should be identified ensuring no congestion and hindrance in normal flow of traffic movement. Every railway station will have only one mobile for parking for a maximum of two hours every day in the evening for consumers. The DRMs will decide at what time vending mobile vans will be allowed to park at respective railway stations.

Mobile vans will be allowed to carry banners of Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice under the consumer affairs, food and distribution ministry scheme. No other banner and advertisement will be permitted. Besides Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice no other items will be allowed for sale. No announcement and audio, playing on the mobile vans will be permitted.