The government today announced that it will sell wheat and rice through ration shops at a price lower than what it pays to procure from the market. Announcing the decision, Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said wheat would be sold at 8.42 rupees per kg while rice at 11.85 rupees. The move in the backdrop of rising food inflation, will cost the exchequer about 2,000 crore rupees in six months ending November 2010. A total of 30 lakh tonnes of wheat and rice would be sold to ration card holders in addition to the quantity of wheat and rice given under ration card quota. Mr. Pawar said, Empowered Group of Ministers today took a decision to give additional five lakh tonnes wheat and rice every month to all card holders. At present, the government provides 35 kg of rice and wheat per Below Poverty Line family every month and 10 to 35 kg for others. As of now, there are 18 crore card holders. <br/>