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The government has allowed Food Corporation of India (FCI) to sell around 1 million tonnes of wheat from its warehouses directly to small flour mill owners located in all parts of the country and not just in Punjab and Haryana.
The move officials said is meant to enable small millers to get access to government procured wheat which would help in bringing down open market rates of wheat and wheat flour.
Announcing the decision in a function today, food minister K.V. Thomas said, "Government has allocated 10 million tonnes of wheat and 5 lakh tonnes of rice under different schemes for sale in the open market.
It was initially decided that out of the 10 million tonnes wheat allocation, 8.5 million tonnes will be sold from godowns in Punjab and Haryana at the reserve price of Rs 1,500 per quintal. However, protect the interest of small chakki owners, around 1 million tonnes of wheat have been earmarked for sale through the FCI godowns in all States and union territories without any tenders."
He hoped that the measure would help in controlling wheat prices in the open market.
