Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Launches Phase II of Bharat Brand Atta and Rice Sale
In New Delhi, the government has started Phase II of selling Bharat brand atta and rice through mobile vans. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi flagged off these vans, which belong to agencies like NCCF, NAFED, and Kendriya Bhandar. Bharat Atta is priced at Rs 30 per kg, and Bharat Rice at Rs 34 per kg. This initiative aims to provide essential food items at subsidized prices, ensuring affordability for consumers.
During the event, Minister Joshi emphasized the government’s commitment to maintaining stable food prices through direct retail interventions. In Phase II, 3.69 lakh tonnes of wheat and 2.91 lakh metric tonnes of rice are available for sale. Previously, in Phase I, 15.20 lakh metric tonnes of Bharat Atta and 14.58 lakh metric tonnes of Bharat Rice were sold.
The Bharat brand products will be available in 5 kg and 10 kg bags at stores, mobile vans, and through e-commerce platforms. The government is also focused on procuring kharif paddy in Punjab, with a target of 184 lakh tonnes. As of November 4, 104.63 lakh metric tonnes of paddy have arrived in Punjab mandis, with 98.42 lakh metric tonnes procured by state agencies and FCI at an MSP of Rs 2320. The total paddy purchase amounts to Rs 20,557 Crores.
Doubts Revealed
Union Minister -: A Union Minister is a person who is part of the central government in India and is responsible for specific areas like education, health, or food. Pralhad Joshi is one such minister.
Bharat Brand Atta and Rice -: Bharat Brand Atta and Rice are types of wheat flour and rice that the Indian government sells at lower prices to help people buy food more easily.
Phase II -: Phase II means the second part or stage of a plan. Here, it refers to the second stage of selling Bharat brand atta and rice.
Mobile vans -: Mobile vans are vehicles that move around to different places to sell or distribute things. In this case, they are used to distribute atta and rice.
Kharif paddy -: Kharif paddy is a type of rice that is grown during the monsoon season in India. It is harvested in the autumn.
MSP -: MSP stands for Minimum Support Price. It is the lowest price that the government promises to pay farmers for their crops to ensure they earn enough money.