Govt might have to pick rice over wheat if it extends free food grain plan

India set to have 38.6 million tonnes of rice in its reserves-much more than what it requires.

The government might have to pick rice over wheat, if it continues the free food grains distribution scheme beyond September 30, 2022. India’s rice stockpiles are more than required, but wheat inventories will be just near the buffer levels by end of Fy-23, trade and market sources.

Officially, though, food secretary Sudhanshu Pandey refused to get into the debate at a press conference on Wednesday, saying that he can’t comment on a hypothetical situation.

Earlier, NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand in an interview with Business Standard a few days back too said that the question whether PMGKAY will be extended