Centre to reform logistics infrastructure for faster payment and distribution of foodgrains
rice and wheat, Chopra said the government has been closely monitoring prices of essential commodities and will take a call depending on the demand-supply situation. “As of now, there is no proposal for reviewing export curbs on any essential commodities," the food secretary said.
This assumes significance as India earlier this month lifted the ban on onion exports but imposed a $550 per tonne minimum export price (MEP) and 40% export duty. It prohibited onion exports in December after a 40% export duty and $800 per tonne MEP failed to curtail prices in the domestic market amid poor crop prospects.
To keep food inflation in check, the government has taken a slew of measures, the latest being the removal of the import duty on chana (Bengal gram) until the end of FY25. Though the headline inflation in April eased an 11-month low to 4.83% from 4.85% in March, food inflation remained firm.
Food inflation was 8.70% in April, up from 8.52% in March, and 8.66% in February, due to a rise in the prices of cereals, meat and fish, and fruit. Consumer inflation remained above the central bank’s target of 4% but has stayed within its tolerance range of 2-6% for the eighth consecutive month.Milestone Alert!
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