New Delhi, May 21 -- The Centre has decided to delay lifting the ban on wheat and wheat product exports, prioritizing price stability during the upcoming festival and election seasons, according to two people familiar with the matter.

With assembly elections due in key states--Bihar, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry--the price of staples like atta (wheat flour), maida (refined wheat flour), and suji (semolina) has become a political priority.

Despite meeting procurement targets, the government is proceeding cautiously to avoid sparking retail food inflation, which is currently at its lowest, and giving the opposition parties political ammunition ahead of the polls.

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