The potential launch of Bharat rice might involve distribution channels like the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (Nafed), National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Ltd (NCCF), and mobile vans facilitated by the government. These avenues could be utilized to make the rice accessible to the public.
As per a senior official mentioned in a livemint.com report, the government is contemplating the launch of ‘Bharat rice’ priced at Rs 25 per kilogram. This initiative aims to address the surging costs of vital food commodities ahead of the impending general elections next year. This step comes after the successful implementation of reduced rates for ‘Bharat atta’ (wheat flour) and ‘Bharat dal’ (pulses).
The potential launch of Bharat rice, planned to be sold at a reduced price, might utilize government channels like the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (Nafed), National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Ltd (NCCF), Kendriya Bhandar outlets, and mobile vans for distribution. These avenues could be employed to make the rice accessible to the public at the discounted rate.
Amidst soaring rice prices, the government plans to introduce Bharat rice at reduced rates, aligning with its efforts to combat escalating cereal inflation. The Bharat wheat flour and chana dal are currently offered to consumers at subsidized prices, a model the Bharat rice distribution is expected to follow. Various measures have been taken, such as banning non-basmati rice exports and implementing export floor prices for basmati rice, to stabilize essential food grain prices. However, despite these actions, cereal prices surged by 10.3 per cent in November, contributing to an overall food inflation of 8.7 per cent, impacting the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Analysts like Devendra Pant from India Ratings emphasize persistent challenges for lower-income groups due to structural issues influencing inflation in essential food items, expressing uncertainty about rising wheat prices despite export bans and increased domestic supply. Pant predicts a gradual decline in CPI to 4 per cent by the fiscal year-end but anticipates inflation to average around 5.2-5.3 per cent for the current fiscal year.