After taking measures to curb rising onion prices, the Modi government on Friday announced the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) for wheat supplied from the central pool from November 1 to stabilize wheat and wheat flour prices. To increase the supply of wheat in the domestic market, wholesale buyers such as flour millers and small traders will be able to bid for 200 tonnes in the e-auction, as against 100 tonnes currently under OMSS.
The Food Corporation of India, the government’s nodal agency for procurement and distribution of food grains, sells wheat from its buffer stock under OMSS. The total quantity to be offered in each e-auction in the country has also been increased from two lakh tonnes to three lakh tonnes, the statement said.
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The purpose of increasing the bid quantity is to increase the availability of wheat in the open market and to stabilize wheat prices. Government initiative to control retail prices of these commodities FCI is selling wheat and rice from the central pool to wholesale buyers like flour millers and small traders under OMSS through weekly e-auction from June 28.
Measures to avoid stockpiling
About 1.92 lakh tonnes of wheat was sold to 2,318 successful bidders in the 18th round of e-auction on October 26. Around 2.01 lakh tonnes of wheat was offered for sale from 444 depots across the country. 2,763 listed buyers participated in the e-auction. The ministry said that to avoid stockpiling, traders have been kept out of the scope of sale of wheat under OMSS.
India has requested Mozambique to send the consignment of Tuvar dal as soon as possible
India on Friday expressed concern over the delay in the arrival of a consignment of Tuwer (Tur) beans from Mozambique and requested the ports to expedite processing and dispatch the consignment. India imports pulses to meet domestic shortages. Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh discussed trade issues related to Tuvar Dal in a meeting with Mozambique High Commissioner Ermindo A Perera here.
According to an official statement, the secretary expressed concern over procedural hurdles arising in Mozambique from July 2023, which are delaying the export of tuvare goods from there. “Consignments of tuvere are awaiting clearance at Mozambique ports,” Singh said, stressing the need for speedy clearance. He urged the High Commissioner to intervene to ensure the unhindered export of Tuwer from Mozambique.
According to the statement, it was also emphasized that there is a need to maintain a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for trade in Tuwer as it symbolizes the commitment of India and Mozambique to the producers and consumers of both countries. In the meeting, the High Commissioner assured that necessary steps would be taken to resolve the existing issues related to the tuwer trade and ensure smooth flow of tuwer exports from Mozambique to India.