To control retail prices of wheat, the Government has decided to offload 15 LMT of wheat in the first phase from central pool stock under Open Market Sale Scheme -Domestic (OMSS-D) 2023 to flour mills/private traders/bulk buyers/manufacturers of wheat products through e-auction. It has also been decided to offload rice under OMSS in order to moderate the prices.
Wheat will be sold in lot sizes of 10-100 MT. Registration for this auction is open on the FCI’s e-auction platform. It has also been decided to offload rice under OMSS in order to moderate the prices. The quantity for the first phase of e-auction for rice will be decided shortly, according to an official release.
The imposition of stock limits on wheat along with offloading of wheat and rice under OMSS are part of the consistent efforts made by the Government to stabilise the prices of essential commodities. The Department of Food and Public Distribution is closely monitoring the stock position of wheat and rice to control the prices and ensure easy availability in the country.
In order to manage the overall food security and to prevent hoarding and unscrupulous speculation, the Government has decided to impose stock limits on wheat applicable to Traders/Wholesaler, Retailers, Big Chain Retailers and Processors for all states and Union Territories.
The Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs (Amendment) Order, 2023 was issued wef June 12. It will be applicable until March 31, 2024, for all states and Union Territories, the release added.