India to Resume Subsidized Bharat Atta and Rice Sales Ahead of Festival Season

Pune: The government is preparing to restart the sale of the subsidised Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice after a gap of more than a year, according to people familiar with the matter, a development that comes ahead of the festival season and amid concerns over the impact of El Nino on the ongoing kharif sowing. Atta prices have increased 6-7% in the past one month. The Bharat brand of staples was launched in 2023 to make atta, rice and pulses available at subsidised prices. It was stopped in April 2025. In a letter written to the Food Corporation of India (FCI), the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution conveyed it has received the approval of the competent authority for the sale of wheat and rice to central cooperative organisations for the retail sale of Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) Policy 2026-27. The ministry has allocated 50,000 tonnes of wheat and 300,000 tonnes of rice for the retail sale of Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice, respectively, according to the letter. Experts said the amount is not large enough to make an impact on prices. "The government might act in a conservative way till there is clarity about the impact of El Nino," said Rohit Khaitan, vice president, Roller Flour Millers' Federation of India. The maximum retail price (MRP) of Bharat Rice has been advised to be fixed at ₹35 per kg (for 5 kg and 10 kg packs) and ₹33 per kg for a 30 kg pack till October 31. The rates will be revised upwards to ₹36 per kg (for 5 kg and 10 kg packs) and ₹34 per kg for a 30 kg pack with effect from November 1. The MRP of Bharat Atta has been fixed at ₹32 per kg for 2026-27.