In a proactive effort to alleviate the burden of food inflation on its citizens, the central government of India has introduced the ‘Bharat Atta’ scheme. Under this initiative, wheat flour, commonly known as atta, will be made available to the public at a subsidised price of Rs 27.50 per kilogram, a significant reduction compared to the prevailing market prices of Rs 40-45 per kilogram.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal Launches ‘Bharat Atta’
Union Minister Piyush Goyal marked the official commencement of the ‘Bharat Atta’ scheme by flagging off 130 mobile vans that will facilitate the distribution of the subsidised atta. During the launch, Goyal underscored the government’s commitment to the welfare of both farmers and consumers, emphasising that the government has consistently procured food commodities to address rising prices and provided them at subsidised rates to benefit consumers.
Easy Access through Various Outlets
According to government plans, ‘Bharat Atta’ will be available in two packet sizes, 10 kilograms and 30 kilograms respectively. Consumers can access this affordable staple at outlets of prominent entities such as Mother Dairy, NAFED, and NCCF, in addition to various cooperative outlets.
Government’s Multi-Pronged Approach
In tandem with the ‘Bharat Atta’ initiative, the central government has significantly increased the quantity of wheat available for sale in the open market. This strategic move aims to ensure moderate prices at the retail level by increasing the availability of wheat, a staple in Indian households.
Boosting Domestic Availability
The government has taken a dual approach by not only offering wheat at subsidized prices but also by banning wheat exports, a measure intended to maintain ample domestic availability. By curbing exports, the government ensures that the needs of its own citizens are met before considering international markets.
Other Affordability Initiatives
The ‘Bharat Atta’ scheme is not the government’s first foray into affordable food initiatives. Previously, the government launched the ‘Bharat Dal’ scheme, which offered chickpeas (chana dal) at highly competitive rates, allowing consumers to purchase 1-kilogram packets for Rs 60 and 30-kilogram packets for Rs 55 per kilogram.
Addressing Onion Prices
In another proactive measure, the government is also addressing the volatility of onion prices by making them available to consumers at a reasonable cost of Rs 25 per kilogram. This initiative is being implemented at approximately 150 locations in the Delhi-NCR region.
As the central government of India continues to roll out these consumer-focused initiatives, it reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that essential food items remain accessible and affordable for its citizens. The ‘Bharat Atta’ scheme is the latest in a series of efforts to address food inflation and enhance food security for the nation’s population.
