Bharat Brand Discontinued : "Govt Steps Back as Food Prices Stabilize"

06-Jun-2025 03:18 PM

New Delhi. In view of the stability in the prices of various essential consumer food products and the decline in food inflation, the Central Government of India may consider stopping the sale of 'Bharat Brand' food products. It is noteworthy that the rate of food inflation decreased to just 1.78 percent in April 2025, compared to a high of 8.7 percent in April 2024.

The sale of Bharat Brand food products was started in 2023 when the open market prices of essential food items had surged significantly. Under this scheme, wheat flour, rice, whole gram, and some other pulses are supplied to the public at subsidized rates through the retail outlets of three agencies — NAFED, NCCF, and Kendriya Bhandar.

According to official sources, during the marketing season of 2024-25, the production of wheat, rice, and maize reached record levels, while the production of gram, tur, and lentils also showed improvement over the previous year. As a result, there is downward pressure on prices. However, the government does not want to make a hasty decision to stop the sale of Bharat Brand products, as there is still a risk of market volatility.

A storage limit has already been imposed on wheat, and the prices of pulses remain stable or soft. Unless there are clear and sustained signs of long-term stability in the market, the government is likely to proceed cautiously to avoid any resurgence in inflation.