No unusual volatility in prices of essential items, says Centre

New Delhi: The government on Monday said there is no "unusual volatility" in prices of essential commodities on account of West Asia crisis and it is continuously monitoring the rates in wholesale and retail markets across the country.

The Centre said it has sufficient stocks of wheat and rice to meet the requirement of the public distribution system (PDS) and also any exigencies. It has also asked states to crackdown on hoarding and black marketing of essential food items.

Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia, Anupam Mishra, Additional Secretary in Department of Consumer Affairs, said, the department is "keeping a close watch on the food security situation in the country."

He said the department is monitoring the prices of food commodities, ensuring supply and also making efforts to prevent hoarding and black marketing.

Mishra said the department gets prices of 40 commodities on a daily basis from 528 centres across India. The wholesale and retial prices are updated on a mobile app.

"What we have seen so far, there has been no unusual volatility in prices of the essential commodities," Mishra said.

On the supply side, he said the production of pulses this year is higher than the previous year.

The government has a 28 lakh tonne of buffer stock of pulses. Imports of tur and urad have been allowed under free category till March 2027.

In case of onion, potato and tomato, Mishra said the production of all these three crops is almost at the same level as in the previous year.

"So there are no supply side constraints. In fact, just we have also started procurement of onion for the buffer stock. So this would also take care of unusual volatility that we have in onion," he added.

Under the Essential Commodities Act of 1955, the additional secretary said state governments have the power to take action against any black marketing or hoarding of commodities.

"The department has been in constant touch with state governments. We have been sensitizing them, also requesting them to take action if there are any instances of black marketing and hoarding," Mishra said.

He said the department has set up a control room to have a seamless and continuous interaction with states regarding prices as well as hoarding.

"We are also keeping a close watch on the complaints that we are receiving on the National Consumer Helpline," Mishra said.

The complaints related to LPG are being forwarded to the petroleum ministry.

C Shikha, joint secretary in Department of Food and Public Distribution, said the Centre has "adequate buffer stock of both wheat and rice, almost three times the buffer stock norms."

She said there is a stock of 222 lakh tonne of wheat and around 380 lakh tonne of rice.

"So this is quite enough to take care of PDS requirement as well as any emergency requirement," the joint secretary said.

In both wheat and rice, she said there is absolutely no hike in prices for over last one year.

"Domestic availability of edible oil remains comfortable despite global uncertainties. Imports from key partners are continuing steadily. Our key partners include Indonesia, Malaysia, Russia, Ukraine, Argentina and Brazil," she said, adding that mustard production has strengthened domestic supply. "The government will continue to monitor this closely and will intervene if required," she said.