Bharat brand food products to be sold again with revised prices

07-Oct-2024 12:47 PM

New Delhi. The central government is likely to resume the sale of Bharat brand flour, rice and pulses soon. But this time the highest retail price (MRP) of these food products will be increased. In comparison to the first phase, in this second phase, the price of flour can be increased from Rs 27.50 to Rs 30 per kg, the price of rice from Rs 29.50 to Rs 32 per kg and the price of gram dal can be increased from Rs 60 to Rs 70 per kg. Apart from this, whole gram will also be made available at the rate of Rs 58 per kg.

But the price of moong dal under the Bharat brand name is likely to be maintained at the old level of Rs 107 per kg. In this second phase, the sale of lentils can also be started, whose MRP is expected to be fixed at Rs 89 per kg. The ministerial panel constituted for prices will soon take a decision on the MRP of food products. It is noteworthy that in February 2024, the government started selling rice in 5 kg and 10 kg packs under the brand name Bharat and fixed its highest retail price at Rs 29 per kg. Prior to that, in November 2023, the sale of wheat flour was started at an MRP of Rs 275 per 10 kg. But by June 2024, the sale of both rice and flour was stopped. It is understood that the government wants to sell as much rice as possible from its official stock without bearing the burden of high subsidy costs. There is a huge stock of rice in the central pool while new paddy has also started arriving. In view of this, emphasis is being laid on reducing the stock of old rice as soon as possible. The government does not want to bear any additional burden of subsidy on this rice. The sale of rice has also been started through weekly e-auction, but its lifting is being seen to be low.