The government of India is closely monitoring food grain prices, particularly rice, and undertaking a series of policy interventions to ensure adequate domestic supplies, maintain price stability, prevent hoarding and safeguard consumer interests. In a statement, the government said it has undertaken a slew of measures:
Mandatory disclosure of rice stocks
The government has issued an order dated November 6, directing all traders, wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers and processors-millers across all states and union territories to declare their stock positions of rice and paddy under the following six categories – basmati; non-basmati premium; non-basmati; parboiled; broken; and paddy.
All entities stocking rice and paddy are required to disclose their stock positions every Friday on the Food Stock Portal and ensure that the information furnished is accurate and regularly updated. Any entity found unregistered on the portal or violating the prescribed stock limits shall be liable for appropriate punitive action under Sections 6 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
Concurrence to southern states for imposition of stock limits
With a view to ensuring the availability to consumers at reasonable prices, particularly in the southern states, the government conveyed its concurrence to the governments of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana to impose stock limits on paddy and rice through appropriate control orders, wherever considered necessary.
These stock limits shall remain in force up to 31 January 2027. The central and state governments will closely monitor the implementation of these measures to ensure adequate market availability and prevent hoarding and black marketing.
Additional allocation of Bharat rice to expand market availability
The government is allocating additional quantities of ‘Bharat Rice’ to three agencies, NAFED, NCCF and Kendriya Bhandar with the objective of substantially expanding its sale and availability across the country, particularly in the Southern States.
The agencies have been directed to explore all possible distribution channels to ensure wider reach and easy accessibility of ‘Bharat rice’ to consumers. The initiative is expected to augment market supplies, improve consumer access to rice at affordable prices and contribute to moderating retail prices.
Doubling of sale target under OMSS (D) for 2026-27
The government has doubled the target quantity of rice for sale through e-auction under the open market sale scheme (domestic) for 2026-27, increasing it from 25 LMT to 50. A total of 25 LMT of rice has been sold to private parties through OMSS (D) e-auctions, as against 11 LMT during the corresponding period of the previous financial year. This reflects a significant increase in market supplies through the intervention.
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Naresh Khanna – 10 February 2025
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