In a proactive measure to render pulses and wheat flour more economically accessible, the central government has commenced the retail sale of chana dal and wheat flour under the distinct nomenclatures ‘Bharat Dal’ and ‘Bharat Atta’. Positioned as an initiative to bolster affordability, chana dal is being dispensed at a subsidized rate of Rs. 60/kg, while Bharat Atta is made available at Rs. 27.50/kg. These offerings are obtainable through reputable channels such as NAFED, NCCF, Kendriya Bhandar, and mobile vans strategically deployed across the expanse of India.
The paradigm of Bharat Dal was introduced in July, where chana dal was introduced in retail packaging, each 1 kg pack being retailed at the subsidized rate of Rs. 60. The distribution network involves established retail outlets managed by The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), the National Consumers Cooperative Federation of India Limited (NCCF), and Kendriya Bhandar, along with Safal.
In a recent development this month, the government has extended this endeavor by offering wheat flour at a subsidized rate of Rs. 27.50 per kg under the appellation ‘Bharat Atta’ nationwide. This product is slated to be available through a network comprising the 2,000-plus outlets of NAFED, NCCF, and Kendriya Bhandars. To further optimize accessibility, Bharat Atta will also be retailed through 800 mobile vans strategically deployed throughout the country.
Notably, these mobile vans will concurrently retail Bharat Dal at the subsidized rate of Rs. 60 per kg, thereby ensuring a multifaceted approach to enhancing public access to essential commodities.
The central government upholds buffer stocks of key pulses, including chana, tur, urad, moong, and masur, under the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF). This strategic reserve serves the dual purpose of shielding the public from market price fluctuations and facilitating a targeted release of stocks to control prices as needed. The introduction of Bharat Dal, specifically chana dal, aligns with this market-oriented approach to stabilizing prices and ensuring the steady availability of essential pulses.
To bolster the domestic supply of pulses, the import of tur and urad has been categorized under the ‘Free Category’ until March 2024. Additionally, the government has proactively reduced import duties on masur, further contributing to the overall efforts to fortify the pulse market.
In the case of Bharat Atta, the central government is set to allocate 2.5 lakh tonnes of wheat from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) at the rate of Rs. 21.50 per kg to key agencies like NAFED, NCCF, and Kendriya Bhandars. These agencies will then process the allocated wheat into wheat flour, which will be retailed at Rs. 27.50 per kg under the brand ‘Bharat Atta’. This strategic allocation from the FCI underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring a stable supply chain for essential commodities and fostering economic accessibility for the masses.
