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Union govt’s NCCF commences distribution of essential food grains
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Tuesday, 05 November, 2024, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Nandita Vijayasimha, Bengaluru
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Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and National Co-operative Consumers’ Federation of India Ltd (NCCF) have started distribution of essential food grains at an affordable price. Known as the Bharat products scheme its objective is to propel subsidised distribution of food grains to ease the price rise challenge.
The scheme was launched in Bengaluru on October 30, as per the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi, Union Ministers Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya and B L Verma.
NCCF officials said that these products are made available in Phase 2 of Bharat products. Under the initiative, high quality essential grains are made available at an affordable rate for Bengaluru residents to begin with.
Bharat rice is being sold at Rs 34, while the Bharat wheat flour at Rs 30, Bharat Chana Dal at Rs 70 and Bharat Moong Dal or green gram dal is being sold at just Rs 107. The market rates for the same products are rice Rs 55-60, atta or wheat flour is Rs 45-50, dal Rs 90-100 and moong dal Rs 120-130.
According to Minister Joshi, the idea behind this scheme is ensuring that people will get quality grains at an affordable rate. It reflects our commitment towards the welfare of the people. The government's goal is to reduce the financial burden on households by lowering the cost of staple foods like rice and wheat flour. This is at a time when the inflation rate is 24% year-on-year, with 9.08% in rural areas and 9.56% in urban areas in September 2024. In August this year, the food inflation was 5.66%.
Economists in the country noted that increase in food inflation can indeed be influenced by several factors, including above-normal rainfall and La Niña conditions. Excessive rainfall has led to flooding, which has seen damage to crops and disrupting harvests. This can result in reduced supply, driving up prices. Further, La Niña typically brings cooler ocean temperatures in the Pacific, which can alter weather patterns globally. This has seen droughts in some regions and excessive rainfall in others, affecting agricultural productivity. The unpredictability associated with these conditions can exacerbate food supply issues. Factors, such as supply chain disruptions, rising production costs, and changes in consumer demand, can all contribute to upward pressure on food prices. Additionally, factors like adverse weather conditions affecting crop yields, geopolitical tensions impacting trade, and fluctuations in energy prices can further exacerbate inflation in the food sector. It creates a complex situation where multiple elements interact to drive prices higher. Addressing these challenges may require adjustments in agricultural practices, improved infrastructure for managing excess water, and policies to stabilise food supplies.The government envisaged the Bharat products scheme, which is also intended to improve living standards and promote economic stability in the region.
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