The sale of rice to NAFED and NCCF is likely to commence only in November after a gap of about three months
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SRINATH M
The Centre has allocated 10 lakh tonnes (lt) —5 lt wheat and rice each —to cooperative organisations such as National Agricultural Cooperative Federation of India Ltd (Nafed) and National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India (NCCF) for further retail sale directly to consumers under “Bharat” brand, which may help resume sales of these essential items at cheaper than market prices.
However, the government has stipulated that these cooperatives have to submit an undertaking that they have exhausted sales of the earlier allocated quantity before lifting fresh stocks of the cereals.
The sale of rice to NAFED and NCCF for further retail sale through their own stores, mobile vans and e-commerce platforms, as well as big chain retailers, is likely to commence in November after a gap of about three months, sources said. The maximum retail price for rice has been fixed at ₹340/bag (of 10 kg) and that of atta (wheat flour) at ₹300/bag (of 10 kg).
Subsidy withdrawn
The issue price from the Central Pool stock managed by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) was decided in July and as per the notification, these cooperatives can buy the rice at ₹2,400/quintal until October 31 and thereafter at ₹2,480/quintal until June 30, 2026. But, issue price of wheat from FCI stock has been fixed at ₹2,550/quintal, excluding transport cost.
But, the government has withdrawn ₹200/quintal subsidy from the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) to these cooperative organisations under ‘Bharat’ brand rice has been discontinued from July 1. Sale of ‘Bharat’ brand of rice through private millers has also not been permitted this year.
Sources said that out of 10 lt quota for the whole year, only Nafed and NCCF have been allotted as Kendriya Bhandar did not show any interest after it discontinued lifting in the second phase of allocation in current fiscal.
Giving festival season a miss
Though there is sufficient stock with the government to re-launch the “Bharat” brand rice and atta, the delay in notification may not allow these cooperatives to be able to sell during festival period of Dussehra and Diwali, sources said. After receiving the order both Nafed and NCCF have to float tender from millers for processing (of wheat to atta), packaging and supply that may take six weeks period, sources said.
Consumer Affairs Ministry data show that the all India average retail price of atta was ₹36.81/kg on August 25, which is a tad lower from a week back, but it is 0.4 per cent higher from a month earlier, 3.2 per cent up from a year earlier, and 4.5 per cent up from two years back. The increase in retail prices of atta is very negligible when compared with the hike in the minimum support price (MSP), effected by the government. The wheat MSP was to ₹2,425/quintal in 2024-25, up by 14 per cent from ₹2,125/quintal in 2022-23.
The all India average retail price of rice was ₹43/kg on August 25, which is a tad higher from a week back and also a month earlier. But, current rate of rice is 0.3 per cent down from a year earlier, and 3.3 per cent up from two years back. The increase in paddy MSP is ₹2,389/quintal for upcoming season starting October 1, which 9 per cent higher from two years back.
Published on August 29, 2025