Government Expands Price Monitoring to 16 More Essential Commodities

Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi announced an expansion of the government's daily wholesale and retail price monitoring to include 16 additional essential food items. The initiative aims to stabilize rates and improve policy interventions. A new mobile app will assist in daily price reporting on 38 commodities.

Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi revealed on Thursday that the government will begin monitoring daily wholesale and retail prices of 16 additional essential food commodities starting August 1. This expansion aims to enhance policy decisions and stabilize rates.

Previously, the Department of Consumer Affairs tracked the daily prices of 22 essential food commodities from 550 centers across 34 states and Union Territories. With the inclusion of 16 more items, the list now totals 38 commodities.

The new items include bajra, jowar, ragi, suji, maida, besan, ghee, butter, brinjal, egg, black pepper, coriander, cumin seed, red chillies, turmeric powder, and banana. The updated 'PMS Mobile App Version 4.0' will aid in reporting the daily prices of these items. Minister Joshi stressed that this comprehensive price monitoring would aid in policy-making and controlling price volatility.

(With inputs from agencies.)