Centre says no decision on wheat sale in open markets to cool down prices

Assures adequate stocks if PMGKAY extended beyond December

The government on Wednesday said no decision has been taken on liquidation of central wheat stocks to cool down retail prices under the open market scheme.

At the same time, it assured that it has enough grains in its inventory if the free foodgrains programme is extended beyond December 2022.

Under the free foodgrains scheme called the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY), the central government has been distributing 5 kg of wheat and rice. This is over and above the usual monthly allocation to almost 800 million beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act.

The programme was started