New Delhi. After farmers, the central government is now focusing on consumers as well. A day after increasing the minimum support price (MSP) of Kharif crops, the government has taken the initiative to control the rising prices of food items. It has been said that if needed, the government can release wheat in the open market. There is no shortage of wheat in the country.

Amit Shah held a meeting to review the prices

There is more wheat than required in the buffer stock. Still, taking precautions amid the rising prices of food items, a meeting of the committee of ministers formed to review the prices was held on Thursday under the chairmanship of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, in which the status of buffer stock of wheat and rising prices was discussed in detail. To prevent hoarding and black marketing, traders have already been instructed to make stock information public every week.

Wheat procurement increased by 4 lakh tonnes

Amit Shah directed to keep a close watch on the prices of other food items including wheat and to make appropriate policy interventions to ensure price stability for consumers. The central government has procured about 266 lakh tonnes of wheat till June 18 in the current year (2024), whereas this quantity was 262 lakh tonnes last year (2023). It is clear that this time four lakh tonnes more wheat has been procured than last time.

Sufficient stock is available in the buffer stock

About 184 lakh tonnes of wheat is required every year for the public distribution system and other welfare schemes of the central government. After fulfilling this requirement from the buffer stock, the government sells wheat at a cheaper price to intervene in the market whenever required. The government says that this time there is sufficient stock available in the buffer stock.

Wheat production reached 112 million tonnes

In the Rabi year (2024), 112 million tonnes of wheat has been produced. Food Corporation of India (FCI) has also made sufficient purchases. About 184 lakh tonnes of food grains will be required for the public distribution system and other welfare schemes of the Center, even after fulfilling which a large amount of grain will remain in stock. Wheat stock has never gone below the norms. In view of the stock, there is currently no proposal to change the duty structure on wheat imports.