Lok Sabha Question No. 704 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: Bharat Atta Yojana
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Vivek Narayan Shejwalkar, Aparajita Sarangi, Nayab Singh, Balashowry Vallabbhaneni

## ORIGINAL  IN HINDI

## INISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.704 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7TH FEBRUARYI 2024

## BHARAT ATTA YOJANA

t704.  SHRI VIVEK NARAYAN SHEJWALKAR: SHRIMATI APARAJITA SARANGI: SHRI NAYAB SINGH: SHRI BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD  AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION w+ten qm& vm  3?rt€Mfqq; fqtwr Ttft be pleased to state,

- (a) the details of the Bharat Atta Yojana and the aims, objectives and perspectives of the Government with regard to this  initiative;
- (b) whether  it  is  true  that  the  Government  has  approved  fresh  subsidy for Bharat Atta to keep wheat prices stable on the recommendations made by the Inter-Ministerial Committee, if so, the details  thereof;
- (c) whether wheat flour is likely to be sold at cheaper rates than the market value under the said scheme, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to sell Bharat Atta through PDS in view of limited stores of NAFED, NCCF, Kendriya Bhandars, etc., if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether the  Government has planned to  ensure adequate stock of foodgrains to fulfill overall demand of the country and to overcome the challenges faced during the distribution  of foodgrains; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT  AND CONSUMER AFFAIRSI FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

- (a):  To moderate the prices of atta, 6 LMT of wheat @Rs.21.50/kg has been allocated  for  Semi-Government and cooperative organizations like Kendriya Bhandar, National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of  India Limited (NCCF) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd.  (NAFED)  under  the  Open  Market Sale  Scheme [OMSS{D}] for converting to atta and offering it for sale to the public under 'Bharat  Atta'brand at an  MRP (Maximum  Retail Price) not  exceeding Rs.27.50/kg. The objective  is to make available atta  to general consumers at  an  affordable rate.  Apart from Bharat  Atta, subsidized Bharat Dal (C:hana DaI) and Onion are  also  being sold  by  the  Central/State co-operative agencies through physical/mobile retail  outlets, 2,75,936 MT of  Bharat Atta,  2,96,802 MT of  Bharat  Dal (Ghana) and 3,04,40,547 Kg of Onion have been sold at subsidized rates to general consumers., Government has also launched retail sales of rice under 'Bharat' brand at an MRP not exceeding Rs 29/Kg for  general  consumers.
- (b):  Yes, Sir. Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India vide Order dated  16.12.2023 directed  FCI to  keep the effective  issue price of  wheat to  NAFED/NCCF/Kendriya Bhandar for  Bharat Atta at Rs.17'15/qtl after  allowing  a subsidy  of  Rs. 435/qU from  Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) on existing reserve price of Rs. 2150/qtl.
- (c): Bharat Atta  is being sold at a Maximum Retail Price not exceeding Rs.27..50/Kg which is lower than the all India average retail prices of Atta.
- (d): NAFED/NCCF/Kendriya Bhandar are selling Bharat Atta through their physical retail outlets  and mobile vans and also through other retail chains and e-commerce platforms.
- (e) to (f): As on Of.Of'2024, the Stock of wheat  and rice  in Central Pool was 163.53 lakh MT and 181.76 lakh MT respectively which are above the buffer stocking norms.

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