Lok Sabha Question No. 4366 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Rise in Prices of Essential Commodities
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Raja A

4366.  SHRI RAJA A:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION 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, eggs and cooking gas;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the policies implemented in this regard;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  monitoring  price  rise  situation  of  major  essential  commodities  on regular basis and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the reasons for sharp increase in milk, milk products and eggs recently in the market;
- (e) whether suitable action has been taken to keep the prices under check; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI B.L. VERMA)

(a) to (b) :   In order to tackle the volatility in prices, government maintains buffer stocks of pulses and onion  for  market  interventions  through  calibrated  and  targeted  release  to  moderate  the  prices  in  the market. Part of the stock of pulses from the buffer are converted to 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 had been released during September  to December, 2024 in a calibrated and targeted manner to moderate prices in high price consuming centres at wholesale  markets  and  through  retail  outlets.  Onions  from  the  buffer  were  distributed  among  retail consumers at Rs.35 per kg through stationary retail outlets and mobile vans in major consumption centres.

Government reduced the retail selling price of domestic LPG by Rs. 200 per 14.2 Kg LPG cylinder with  effect  from  30 th August,  2023 and  by  Rs.100  per  14.2  Kg  cylinder with  effect  from 9 th 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.

- (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.  Inter-Ministerial  Committee  (IMC)  reviews  and  deliberates,  on  regular basis,  the  situation  of  prices  and  price  trends  of  essential  agri-horticulture  commodities  and  suggests measures to enhance availability through increased domestic production and through imports.

## Government of India

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4366 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025

## RISE IN PRICES OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES

The prices of food commodities tend to be volatile as they are affected by several factors, such as seasonality in production, adverse weather conditions, supply chain disruptions, rise in international prices etc. Sometimes slight disruptions in the supply chain or crop damage due to adverse weather condition etc. lead  to  spike  in  the  prices  of  agri-horticultural  commodities.  Conversely,  bulk  arrival  and  logistics problems have the potential of creating a situation of glut in the market and resultant dip in prices. Further, El  Nino  phenomenon observed during the past  two consecutive  years of  2022-23  and  2023-24  created adverse weather conditions which impacted the production and prices of food commodities, especially, vegetables and pulses.

(d) to (f) : The all-India average retail prices of milk is stable over the past one year. The average retail prices of milk, as reported by the price reporting centres across the States and UTs at Rs.58.34 per litre on 21.03.2025 is 0.34% lower than Rs.58.54 per litre on 21.03.2024. The all-India average retail prices of egg at Rs.75.96 per dozen on 21.03.2025 is lower than previous month by 4.97%.

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