Lok Sabha Question No. 3847 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-18
Subject: Price Rise of Essential Commodities
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Zia Ur Rehman

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3847(OIH) TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2024

## PRICE RISE OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES

3847.  SHRI ZIA UR REHMAN: (OIH)

## Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any steps have been taken by the Government to check price rise of essential commodities like grains, pulses, vegetables and cooking gas;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the policies implemented in this regard; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h (श्री बी.एल. वर्मा )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE

## CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI B.L.VERMA)

(a) to (c) : Department of Consumer Affairs monitors the daily retail and wholesale prices of selected essential food commodities, submitted by the 555 price monitoring centres that have been set up with Central assistance by the State Governments and UT Administrations across the country. The daily report of prices and indicative price trends are duly analysed for taking appropriate decisions such as release of stocks from the buffer, stock disclosure  by  stockholding  entities,  imposition  of  stock  limits,  changes  in  trade  policy  instruments  like rationalisation of import duty, changes in import quota, restrictions on exports of the commodity etc.

In order to tackle the volatility in prices, the government maintains buffer stocks of pulses and onion for market interventions through calibrated and targeted release to moderate the prices in the market. As a measure of direct intervention in the retail market, part of the stock of pulses from the buffer are converted into dals for retail  sale  to  the  consumers  at  affordable  prices  under  the  Bharat  Dal  brand.  Similarly,  atta  and  rice  are distributed to retail consumers under Bharat brand at subsidized prices. Onion from the buffer are released in a calibrated and targeted manner to moderate prices in high price consuming centres at wholesale markets and through  retail  outlets.  Onion  is  distributed  among  retail  consumers  at  Rs.35  per  kg  through  stationary  retail outlets and mobile vans in major consumption centres. These measures have helped in making essential food commodities  such  as  pulses,  rice,  atta  and  onion  available  to  consumers  at  affordable  prices  and  also  in stabilising the prices.

In order to ensure accessibility and availability of foodgrains for the poor, the government has decided to  provide  free  foodgrains  to  about  81.35  crore  beneficiaries  of  Pradhan  Mantri  Garib  Kalyan  Anna  Yojana (PMGKAY) for a period of next five years with effect from 1st January, 2024, as per their entitlement (i.e. 35 kg of foodgrains per month per AAY household and 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month in case of Priority Household).

India imports about 60% of the domestic LPG consumed. Price of LPG in the country is linked to its price  in  the  international  market.  Government  continues  to  modulate  the  effective  price  to  consumer  for domestic LPG. Average Saudi CP (international benchmark for LPG pricing) rose by 64% (from US$ 385/MT in July 2023 to US$ 632 /MT in November 2024) while on the other hand effective price for Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala  Yojana  (PMUY)  consumers  for  domestic  LPG  reduced  in  India  by  44%  (from  Rs.  903  in August 2023 to Rs. 503 in November 2024).

Government reduced the retail selling price of domestic LPG by Rs. 200 per 14.2 Kg LPG cylinder with effect from 30th August, 2023 and by Rs.100 per 14.2 Kg cylinder with effect from 9th March, 2024. The retail selling  price  of  a  14.2  Kg  domestic  LPG  cylinder  is  currently  Rs  803  in  Delhi.  After  a  targeted  subsidy  of Rs.300/cylinder to PMUY consumers, Government of India is providing 14.2 Kg LPG cylinders at an effective price of Rs.503 per cylinder (in Delhi). This is available to more than 10.33 crore Ujjwala beneficiaries, across the  country. A  few State  Governments  are  providing  some  additional  subsidy  on  LPG  refills  and  bear  the additional cost from their respective budgets.

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