The Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on Food today is believed to have decided to sell additional 3 million tonnes (mt) of rice and wheat to APL families through ration shops, a move expected to provide relief from high prices.
The decision taken in the EGoM meeting today will also help clear stocks from granaries, which are overflowing.
Headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, the EGoM cleared the proposal to provide nearly 3 mt of foodgrain to 115 million above poverty line (APL) families in the next six months, if they are getting less than 15 kg a month, sources said.
APL families get 10-35 kg wheat and rice per month at Rs 6.10 and Rs 8.30 per kg, respectively.
Food inflation for the week ended July 10 stood at 12.47 per cent.