The central government, through the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is releasing wheat and rice from the stocks available with it in excess of the buffer stocking norms through the open market sale scheme at predetermined reserved prices to enhance the availability and moderate the prices so that more consumers are benefitted from the scheme.
The FCI is planning to release around 50 lakh tonnes of wheat and 25 lakh tonnes of rice in the coming auctions throughout the country. Further, the reserve price of rice to be offered under the auction is reduced by Rs 2, i.e. from Rs 31 to Rs 29 per kilogramme for non-fortified rice and Rs 31.73 to Rs 29.73 per kilo for fortified rice.
The FCI regional office for Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura has begun the sale of wheat and rice under the scheme to its empanelled (registered) buyers with effect from June 28, 2023.
Wheat is offered to processors/atta chalki/flour millers/manufacturers of wheat products but not to traders, whereas rice is offered to traders/empanelled bulk buyers.
In the Auctions held on June 28, July 12, July 19, July 26, August 2 and August 9, a total of 2,600 tonnes of wheat and 110 tonnes of rice was sold from the various depots for the three states. For the upcoming e-auction dated August 16, a quantity of 800 tonnes of wheat and 3,000 tonnes of rice will be offered for auction.
To benefit the consumers and general public at large, the FCI expects more participation from the local empanelled buyers for the upcoming auction.
