No Urgency for Wheat Sale Under OMSS: Food Secretary

24-Jul-2025 03:33 PM

New Delhi. Union Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra has stated that there is no need to initiate the sale of wheat from government stocks under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) at present.

He emphasized that the country has an adequate stock of wheat, and both supply and availability in the market are stable. Prices are also holding steady, so government intervention through OMSS is currently unnecessary.

Speaking at the Global Round Table Conference organized by the Indian Vegetable Oil Producers Association (IVPA), Chopra expressed concern over the rising prices of edible oils.

Later, while addressing journalists, he reaffirmed that the government and private sectors have sufficient wheat stocks and that there is no disruption in trade or any pressure on prices. The supply and demand for wheat are well-balanced, eliminating the need for immediate market intervention.

In the previous financial year (2023-24), the government sold about 101 lakh tonnes of wheat under OMSS, followed by around 30 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. However, the scheme has not yet been initiated for the 2025-26 financial year.

Chopra highlighted that the sharp increase in edible oil prices, especially mustard oil, is a serious concern, affecting household budgets. On the other hand, wheat production in the country is estimated to have reached an all-time high of 1175 lakh tonnes, with government procurement climbing to 301 lakh tonnes — the highest in the last four years.