Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New & Renewable Energy, 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.

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 the Phase-II.

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Interacting with mediapersons during the event, Joshi stated that the initiative is an affirmation of the Centre’s commitment towards ensuring the availability of essential food items to the consumers at subsidised prices. Direct interventions through retail sale of basic food items under Bharat Brand such as rice, atta and dal have helped in maintaining a stable price regime, he added.

Minister of State B L Verma was also present on the occasion.

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 subsidised 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 Phase-II. ‘Bharat’ brand Atta and Rice will be sold in 5 Kg and 10 Kg bags.

Updating on 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 4th 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 at Rs 2320 as decided by the Centre for Grade ‘A’ paddy. The total paddy purchased by Government of India till date in the ongoing KMS 2024-25, amounts to Rs 20,557 Crore. This has benefitted 5.38 lakh farmers and the MSP amount has been credited to their bank accounts.