Centre has asserted that sufficient foodgrains stocks are available in the country to meet domestic requirements. Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ministry said, it is regularly monitoring the price scenario of essential commodities including wheat and rice and taking corrective measures, wherein required.
In a statement, the ministry said, the retail and wholesale prices of wheat and rice reported a decrease and prices of wheat atta remained stable during last week. During the last two years prices of wheat and rice have gone up more or less corresponding to the MSP increase during the relevant years. The Ministry said, during 2021-22 the prices were comparatively on the lower side because around 80 LMT of food grains were offloaded in the open market through Open Market Sales Scheme (OMSS) to contain the prices. It added that because of the unprecedented geo-political situation, procurement remained bit on a lower side therefore, the government had not intervened in the market through OMSS so far.
However, it is well aware of the prices scenario and monitoring it regularly on a weekly basis. The Centre has taken proactive steps to avoid any further price rise and export regulations were imposed in case of wheat and rice. In order to contain the prices and to avoid any hardships to the vulnerable sections of the society, it has extended Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana for another three months to ensure that poor and needy of the country do not face any hardship during the forthcoming festival season.
It has ensured that sufficient stock of food grains to meet the requirement of National Food Security Act, other welfare schemes and additional requirements of PMGKAY are available in the central pool and prices remain under control.
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