The Indian government has initiated the second phase of its Bharat brand retail program, aimed at providing consumers with subsidized essentials, including wheat flour (atta) and rice. In a move to ensure food security and affordability, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi, flagged off mobile vans from agencies NCCF, NAFED, and Kendriya Bhandar, launching the distribution on Tuesday.

Under Phase II, Bharat Atta will be available to consumers at a maximum retail price (MRP) of Rs 30 per kg, and Bharat Rice at Rs 34 per kg. Speaking to the media, Minister Joshi emphasized the government’s commitment to making staple food items accessible at lower prices, citing the intervention as a measure to stabilize food costs for the public. “This initiative reflects our dedication to ensuring essential food items are available at subsidized rates,” he said.

In this new phase, 3.69 lakh tonnes of wheat and 2.91 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of rice are being allocated for retail distribution. The initial phase had seen the successful distribution of approximately 15.20 LMT of Bharat Atta and 14.58 LMT of Bharat Rice.

Now, consumers can purchase Bharat Atta and Rice in convenient 5 kg and 10 kg bags from stores and mobile vans operated by Kendriya Bhandar, NAFED, NCCF, and select large-scale retailers and e-commerce platforms.

The government also provided an update on kharif paddy procurement in Punjab. Minister Joshi affirmed the government’s commitment to achieving the target of 184 lakh tonnes of paddy, pledging to procure every grain brought to state mandis by farmers.

As of November 4, Punjab mandis have received 104.63 LMT of paddy, of which 98.42 LMT has been acquired by state agencies and the Food Corporation of India (FCI). The procurement is ongoing at the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 2,320 per quintal, amounting to Rs 20,557 crore in purchases in the current Kharif marketing season 2024-25.

(Inputs from ANI)