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Government allocated 100 lakh tonnes of wheat and five lakh tonnes of rice under different sub schemes under OMSS for 2013-14

Government is monitoring the prices of all essential commodities to check undue rise: K.V. Thomas

25-Sep-2013, 05:03
The government is examining the reasons for undue rise in prices of foodgrains despite high production. It is monitoring the prices of all essential commodities including foodgrains. To check the prices of foodgrains, norms for selling wheat to bulk traders like flourmills under the open market sale scheme (OMSS) have been eased. This was stated by Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Prof. K.V. Thomas, while addressing the 73rd annual general meeting of Roller Flour Millers' Federation of India today.

To moderate the open market prices of wheat, Government is releasing wheat in open market through OMSS scheme. During 2012-13, more than 60 lakh tonnes of wheat was sold under the scheme through tenders floated by the Food Corporation of India.

During 2013-14, Government has allocated 100 lakh tonnes of wheat and five lakh tonnes of rice under different sub schemes under OMSS. It was initially decided that out of the 100 lakh tonnes wheat allocation, 85 lakh tonnes will be sold from godowns in Punjab and Haryana at the reserve price of Rs 1500 per quintal. However, Roller flour industry was requesting for tender sale of wheat from other States/UTs and it has now been allowed by the Government.