Delhi govt revives scheme providing subsidised wheat flour

"We have decided to provide wheat flour at subsidised rate to provide relief to the poor people," Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said after relaunch of the scheme.

Rising prices of essential commodities in the city was identified as one of the major reasons for Congress' crushing defeat in the municipal polls held in April.

Delhi government had launched the scheme of selling subsidised wheat flour in July 2009 and it continued till October last year. The scheme called 'Bhagidari Atta' had to be discontinued after the Centre stopped providing Delhi subsidised wheat flour.

In May, Dikshit had requested Union Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies K V Thomas to allocate additional wheat to the city for revival of the scheme. Thomas had agreed to the request.

Officials said 10 kg packets of superior quality wheat flour would be made available in 400 outlets of Kendriya Bhandar, NAFED and NCCF (National Consumer Cooperative Federation) for Rs 144.50 as against the market rate ranging from Rs 180 to Rs 250.

Dikshit said her government has been taking all steps to mitigate the "effects of inflation in the city".

Food and Supplies Minister Harun Yusuf said government has taken help from the Atta Millers Association to market the wheat flour.

Yusuf said the subsidised wheat flour will be available for every family as there is no restriction on their purchase by higher income group.