The Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) is a scheme introduced by the Indian government to regulate and control the prices of grains in the country.

• Under OMSS, the government sells excess grain stocks from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to various state governments, government agencies, and private traders.
• The objective of OMSS is to maintain a balance between demand and supply of grains in the market, and to ensure that prices remain stable.
• The government announces the availability of grain stocks through OMSS periodically, and interested buyers can participate in the auction process.
• OMSS sets a reserve price for the grains to ensure minimum selling prices, while allowing market forces to determine the final price based on demand and supply.
• By selling grains through OMSS, the government can reduce its excess stock levels and prevent spoilage and wastage of grains.
• OMSS helps to stabilize grain prices by releasing additional supply into the market when prices are high, thus curbing inflation and ensuring food affordability for consumers.
• On the other hand, when market prices are low, the government can store excess grains for future use through OMSS.
• The government closely monitors the operation of OMSS to prevent any potential market distortions and ensure that prices remain within an acceptable range.

Overall, OMSS plays a crucial role in maintaining grain price stability and ensuring food security in India.