**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer from the Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution to the Lok Sabha regarding the prices of essential commodities. The question addresses the government's awareness of price increases, the reasons behind these fluctuations, and the actions being taken to stabilize prices under the Public Distribution System (PDS). The answer was given on 10.12.2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Price Monitoring:**
* The Department of Consumer Affairs monitors daily prices of 38 food commodities.
* Monitoring data comes from 575 price monitoring centers set up by State Governments and UT Administrations.
* Current data indicates that prices of essential food commodities are stable and under control.
* **Factors Affecting Agri-Horticultural Commodity Prices:**
* Prices are volatile and influenced by seasonality, adverse weather, supply chain disruptions, artificial shortages (hoarding, black marketing), and international price increases.
* Supply chain disruptions or crop damage lead to price spikes.
* Bulk arrivals and logistics problems can create market gluts and price dips.
* **Government Intervention:**
* The Government of India sells surplus food grains (wheat and rice) via the Open Market Sales Scheme (Domestic) (OMSS(D)), exceeding PDS and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS) needs.
* This action is designed to increase food grain availability, control inflation, ensure food security, and improve affordability.
* Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice were launched on 6.11.2023 and 6.02.2024, respectively, to provide subsidized atta and rice to consumers under the OMSS(D) policy.
**Impact Analysis**
**Consumers**
*Impact*
Consumers are directly affected by the prices of essential commodities. The government's measures aim to keep prices stable and affordable, ensuring access to essential food items.
*Action Required*
Consumers may benefit from the availability of Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice at subsidized rates under the OMSS(D) policy.
**State Governments and UT Administrations**
*Impact*
These entities play a crucial role in monitoring prices through the 575 price monitoring centers and submitting data to the Department of Consumer Affairs.
*Action Required*
Continued monitoring and reporting of prices are essential.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution: The primary government body responsible for addressing the question related to prices of essential commodities.
Public Distribution System (PDS): Referenced as the existing system for ensuring adequate buffer stocks.
Open Market Sales Scheme (Domestic) (OMMSS(D)): Scheme used to increase the availability of food grains and control inflation.
Other Welfare Schemes (OWS): Schemes, in addition to PDS, which are relevant for food grain distribution.
Government of India
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Department of Consumer Affairs
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1754
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025
PRICES OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES
1754. SHRI ZIA UR REHMAN:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the recent rise in prices of essential commodities
such as pulses, edible oils and vegetables;
(b) the factors responsible for these price fluctuations; and
(c) the steps being taken by the Government to stabilize prices and ensure adequate buffer stocks under
the Public Distribution System (PDS)?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI B.L.VERMA)
(a) : Department of Consumer Affairs monitors the daily prices of 38 food commodities, including pulses
and edible oils, and major vegetables, submitted by the 575 price monitoring centres set up by the State
Governments and UT Administrations with Central assistance. As per the data, prices of essential food
commodities are stable and under control.
(b) : Prices of agri-horticultural commodities tend to be volatile as they are affected by several factors,
such as seasonality in production, adverse weather conditions, supply chain disruptions, artificial shortages
created by hoarding and black marketing, rise in international prices etc. Sometimes slight disruptions in
the supply chain or crop damage due to adverse weather condition etc. lead to spike in the prices of agri-
horticultural commodities. Conversely, bulk arrival and logistics problems have the potential of creating a
situation of glut in the market and resultant dip in prices.
(c) : Government of India sells surplus food grains (Wheat & Rice), beyond the public Distribution
System (PDS) and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS) requirements, through open sale under Open Market
Sales Scheme (Domestic) (OMMSS(D)). This helps increase the availability of food grains in the market,
control inflation, ensure food security and make food grains more affordable for the general population. In
addition, Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice were launched on 6.11.2023 and 6.02.2024, respectively, with a
view to provide atta (wheat flour) and rice to general consumers at subsidized rates under Open Market
Sale Scheme (Domestic) (OMSS(D)) policy.
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