The cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA) is likely to consider a proposal from the Ministry of Agriculture to grant a bonus of Rs 50 a quintal, over and above the minimum support price of wheat, which stands at Rs 1,120 a quintal as of now. “Wheat bonus will be on the agenda of the CCEA meeting on Wednesday,” officials said.
Though the agriculture ministry had long been in favour of a bonus, the food and consumer affairs department felt a bonus at this juncture could fuel food inflation. Also, it felt this could further inflate the food subsidy bill as procurement was expected to be good in 2010-2011, official sources said.
