Himachal Pradesh to Stop Sale of Organic Wheat Flour at Fair Price Shops

Decision follows complaints of low demand from shop owners

The Food and Civil Supplies Department of Himachal Pradesh has withdrawn its earlier order mandating the sale of organic wheat flour at fair price shops across the state. However, the shops will continue to sell organic porridge (dalia), as directed by the department.

The decision came after fair price shop owners complained about low consumer demand for these organic products, warning that they would incur losses if forced to sell them.

Ashok Kavi, president of the State Depot Operators’ Committee, said, “Organic wheat flour costs ₹100 per kg and dalia ₹115 per kg. Consumers find these products too expensive, and demand is almost negligible. If depot owners are compelled to sell them, they will suffer losses.”

The sale of organic flour and dalia was part of a state government initiative to promote naturally grown produce by purchasing wheat from farmers at a minimum support price of ₹60 per kg. The idea was to give consumers access to premium, organic options alongside subsidized essentials available at fair price shops.

However, due to the high prices, shop owners reported poor sales, putting the initiative under strain. According to a new departmental order, the Agriculture Department will now manage the sale of organic wheat flour.

The Food and Civil Supplies Department has also instructed each fair price shop to procure at least 5 kg of organic dalia from state civil supply wholesale centers next month for sale to consumers.

Welcoming the decision to stop selling organic flour, Kavi urged the department to exclude dalia as well, saying, “Demand for dalia is also very low, and at ₹115 per kg, it is too costly. The department should withdraw both organic flour and dalia from fair price shops.”