Bharat Atta Initiative 2023, Features, Costs, Complete Details

Bharat Atta Initiative 2023

Union Minister Piyush Goyal took a pivotal step in tackling rising food prices and expanding access to essential commodities by launching 100 mobile vans for distributing ‘Bharat Atta’, a nutritious and affordable wheat flour. Consumers can also purchase Bharat Atta at a consistent price of Rs 27.5 per kilogram from various retail outlets, including mobile vans operated by NAFED, NCCF, Kendriya Bhandars, and other cooperative outlets. This initiative, supported by 2.5 lakh tonnes of wheat, aims to empower the public with access to affordable food staples.

We’re now on WhatsApp. Click to Join

Bharat Atta Scheme

To combat inflation and make wheat flour more accessible to the public, the government has allocated 2.5 lakh tonnes of wheat for the production and sale of Bharat Atta. This Bharat Atta Scheme aims to further reduce food prices by providing consumers with an affordable option for their wheat flour needs.

In its ongoing efforts to control retail prices of essential commodities, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) effectively sold 2.87 lakh tonnes of wheat from its buffer stock to bulk consumers through the 19th round of e-auction. Since June, FCI has been utilizing the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) to release wheat and rice from the Central pool to bulk buyers, including flour millers and small traders, through weekly e-auctions.

The latest e-auction saw 2,389 bidders successfully procure 2.87 lakh tonnes of wheat at a weighted average selling price of Rs 2,291.15 per quintal, surpassing the reserve price of Rs 2,150 per quintal. This demonstrates the strong demand for wheat and the effectiveness of OMSS in managing market prices.

Features of Bharat Atta Initiative

The Bharat Atta Initiative is a welcome step towards ensuring food security and affordability for millions of Indians. It is a testament to the government’s commitment to providing basic necessities to its citizens. Here are some of the key features of the Bharat Atta Initiative:

• Affordable price: Bharat Atta will be sold at a uniform price of Rs. 27.5 per kilogram, which is lower than the prevailing market prices.
• Wide availability: Bharat Atta will be available through a network of physical and mobile retail outlets across the country.
• High quality: Bharat Atta will be made from high-quality wheat procured from farmers.
• Sustainability: The Bharat Atta Initiative is expected to be sustainable in the long run, as it will provide a stable market for wheat farmers.
• The wheat flour, branded as ‘Bharat Atta’, is being distributed through various retail channels to ensure it reaches a wide spectrum of consumers, such as:
  • Kendriya Bhandar,
  • National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED),
  • the National Cooperative Consumer Federation (NCCF), etc.
• In addition to wheat flour, the government is also vending chana dal at Rs. 60 per kg under the same ‘Bharat’ brand.
• The initiative is aimed at enhancing the availability of wheat flour in the market at reasonable prices and contributing to the stabilisation of its price.

Bharat Atta Initiative and Open Market Sale Scheme

The Open Market Sale Scheme, aimed at ensuring adequate wheat supply and stabilizing prices, will continue until March 31, 2024, with a target of offloading approximately 101.5 lakh tonnes of wheat during this period.

In a significant move to protect vulnerable consumers from rising cereal prices, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently announced the government’s plan to extend its free food grains program for an additional five years. This decision aims to shield around 80 crore consumers from the impact of price fluctuations ahead of the upcoming general election.

While the extension of the free food grains program is a welcome initiative to protect vulnerable consumers, it also entails significant financial implications for the government. To sustain this expansive welfare program, the government will need to allocate additional resources and increase the procurement of wheat and rice from farmers.

How can I get Bharat Atta?

Bharat Atta is available for purchase through the following channels:

• NAFED outlets: NAFED operates a network of over 15,000 retail outlets across the country. These outlets are selling Bharat Atta at a uniform price of Rs 27.50 per kilogram.

• NCCF outlets: NCCF operates a network of nearly 2,000 retail outlets across the country. These outlets are also selling Bharat Atta at Rs 27.50 per kilogram.

• Kendriya Bhandars: Kendriya Bhandars are government-run fair-price shops that sell essential commodities at subsidised prices. They are also selling Bharat Atta at Rs 27.50 per kilogram.

• Other cooperative outlets: Several other cooperative outlets are also selling Bharat Atta. You can find a list of these outlets on the websites of NAFED, NCCF, and Kendriya Bhandars.

Sharing is caring!