To further stabilize prices of rice, atta, and dal, the government has decided to extend the 20% export duty on parboiled rice indefinitely. Additionally, it plans to sell approximately 30 lakh tonnes of rice and atta under the “Bharat” brand at subsidized rates over the next 4-5 months. Moreover, the government has notified its intention to maintain a zero import duty on yellow peas, provided that the bill of landing is issued by April 30.
On measures being taken to check the prices of essential items, Union food secretary Sanjeev Chopra said, “The sale of Bharat atta has brought down the retail prices. We are hoping to sell 15 lakh tonnes of Bharat atta and another 15 lakh tonnes of Bharat rice in the next 4-5 months. This is the initial phase, we can supply more if there is demand.”
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He mentioned that rice prices, currently up by 15% year-on-year, are anticipated to decrease with increased sales of ‘Bharat’ rice and the arrival of the rabi crop starting in March. To date, approximately 3.5 lakh tonnes of atta and 20,000 tonnes of rice under the Bharat brand have been sold.
The government is offering rice under the Bharat brand at a subsidized rate of INR 29 per kg and atta at INR 27.5 per kg through retail outlets, including those operated by farmers’ cooperative NAFED and NCCF.
Continue Exploring: Govt rolls out ‘Bharat’ rice at INR 29/kg to tackle rising food prices
The grains for retail purposes are being supplied to cooperative agencies by the state-run Food Corporation of India (FCI). Chopra mentioned that random samples of the rice and atta being sold are undergoing testing, and the quality of these cereals is excellent.
When asked if the government intends to permit additional diversion of sugar for ethanol production during the current 2023-24 supply year, the secretary stated that there is no such proposal. In December of last year, the government imposed a cap on sugar diversion at 17 lakh tonnes for the current supply year, spanning from November 2024 to October 2025. This decision permitted the use of both cane juice and B-heavy molasses under the overall cap for ethanol production.
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