Surplus wheat will be sold at Rs 2,325 per quintal & rice at Rs 2,800 per quintal — lower than current market rates. Open market sale is aimed at regulating domestic supply & prices.
The government has said that the stock declaration of wheat and rice will be mandatory for all the traders, wholesalers, retailers, big-chain retailers, and processors in all the states and union territories.
Modi govt allocated 2.5 lakh metric tonnes wheat for NAFED, NCCF & Kendriya Bhandars which was later processed into flour & is being sold at ₹27.50 per kg at outlets & mobile vans.
After Bharat Dal in July, Modi govt Monday launched Bharat Atta, a brand under which it will sell subsidised wheat. Economists say it will likely be forgotten after 2024 elections.
Extreme weather & rising prices in private, international markets led to low procurement last year. This season, state has already contributed over 100 LMT of wheat to central reserves.
Unseasonal rains & strong winds have ruined fields in southwest Punjab. Bathinda saw rainfall 3,900% above normal over 24-30 March, though officials say only 10% of farms severely affected.
Contrary to naysayers, the RSS practices what it preaches. It is closer to the Gandhian teaching of improving the individual morally and spiritually to change the external environment.
This is the game every nation is now learning to play. Some are finding new allies or seeing value among nations where they’d seen marginal interest. The starkest example is India & Europe.
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