Wheat will be sold in open market to control prices: Food Secretary

The government "will sell wheat in the open market if there is a need to control prices", food secretary Sudhanshu Pandey said on Monday.

Stock position of wheat and rice in the central pool is comfortable even after meeting the requirements of the seventh phase of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY), he said. "We also have a surplus for market intervention if the need arises," he added. Pandey allayed concerns over wheat price increase, saying the rise is in tune with the increase in its minimum support price (MSP) and other costs such as transportation.

International prices of wheat are ₹9-10 higher than its domestic prices, he said, adding that only a part of Ukraine's wheat supply has reached the global market and the shortfall continues.