Kendriya Bhandar Starts Selling Atta at Rs 29.50/Kg; NAFED & NFCC from February 6

Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, in a meeting reviewed the progress of Open Market Sale Scheme is progressing (OMSS). He specifically reviewed the progress of supply wheat flour at Rs. 29.50/kg through various outlets in the country for sale to consumers in order to control the inflationary trend in the food economy.

During a meeting with Food Corporation of India (FCI), Kendriya Bhandar, National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), and National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited (NCCF), the Secretary decided that these institutions will lift wheat up to 3 LMT from FCI Depots and convert it into Atta, which they will sell to consumers at Rs. 29.50/Kg through various retail outlets, mobile vans, and so on.

"These institutions agreed to supply Atta at Rs. 29.50/Kg under the brand name "Bharat Atta" or "any other suitable name" with a bold MRP of Rs. 29.50/Kg. Kendriya Bhandar has already begun selling Atta at Rs. 29.50/Kg, but NCCF and NAFED will supply Atta at Rs. 29.50/Kg beginning February 6, 2023, according to the ministry.

It was also decided that any Corporations/ Cooperatives/ Federations/Self Help Groups of State Governments/UTs may be allocated wheat from the Government of India at Rs. 23.50/Kg on the recommendation of the respective state government/UT for sale of Atta to consumers at Rs. 29.50/Kg.

"It was decided that 25 LMT be offered through the e-auction route to traders, flour mills, etc as per the usual process followed by FCI. Bidders can participate in an e-auction for up to 3000 MT per region per auction. Without an e-auction, 2 LMT will be offered to state governments for their schemes at a cost of $10,000 per state. Without an e-auction, 3 LMT will be offered to government PSUs/cooperatives/federations such as Kendriya Bhandar/NCCF/NAFED, among others.

This is subject to the condition that they convert wheat into atta and sell it to the public at a price not exceeding 29.50/kg," it added. Following that, DFPD allocated 2.5 LMT of wheat to Kendriya Bhandar, NAFED, and NCCF in accordance with their requests. On January 27, 2023, Kendriya Bhandar and NAFED each received 1LMT, while NCCF received 50000 MT.