India has adequate foodgrain stock: Govt

The Government has assured that there is sufficient stock of food grains in the country amid the West Asian conflict. Addressing the Inter-Ministerial Briefing on Recent Developments in West Asia in New Delhi on Monday, Additional Secretary for the Department of consumer affairs Anupam Mishra said that there is no usual volatility in the prices of essential commodities. He said that the production of pulses in the country is higher than in the previous year. Mishra said that the government is monitoring the prices and supply of commodities. Joint Secretary in the Department of Food and Public Distribution, C. Shikha, said that the country has an adequate buffer stock of both wheat and rice. She informed that around 602 Lakh Metric Tonne of food stocks are available in the country. She highlighted that the government is continuing to provide access of foodgrains to vulnerable populations under the National Food Security Act, while the Open Market Sales Scheme is maintaining price stability through market releases. She said that edible oil and sugar supplies remain comfortable, with overall inflation under control. She added, adequate packaging material is being ensured through diversified sourcing and contingency measures to support smooth procurement and sustain food security.

Government is closely monitoring food security amid the West Asia conflict. Current reserves stand at about 222 LMT of wheat and 380 LMT of rice, totaling nearly 602 LMT, which is around three times the prescribed buffer norms. National Food Security Act continues to support… pic.twitter.com/QBBm1JduLX

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Additional Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mukesh Mangal said that two Indian-flag vessels, Green Sanghvi and Green Asha, carrying LPG, have safely transited the Strait of Hormuz in the last two days. Mangal informed that currently 16 Indian-flagged vessels are present in the Western Persian Gulf region, carrying 433 Indian seafarers. He added that no incidents involving Indian-flag vessels have been reported in the past 24 hours.
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Sujata Sharma said that around fifty lakh LPG cylinders are being delivered every day, with online booking reaching a record level of 97 percent. Ms Sharma said that delivery authentication through OTP has been widely implemented, now covering nearly 90 percent of deliveries.
Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India has safely evacuated one thousand 777 nationals from Iran via Armenia and Azerbaijan, including 895 students.

(Senior Journalist)