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Centre steps up measures to stabilise rice prices, boost supplies
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Monday, 09 November, 2026, 10 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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The Government of India has intensified measures to monitor rice and paddy stocks across the country, ensure adequate domestic availability and maintain price stability. The initiatives include mandatory stock disclosures by traders and processors, stock limits in five southern states, additional allocation of Bharat Rice and an increase in the rice sale target under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) [OMSS (D)] for 2026-27.
In an order dated November 6, 2026, the government directed traders, wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers and processors/millers across all states and Union Territories to disclose their rice and paddy stocks under six categories: basmati rice, non-basmati premium rice, non-basmati rice, parboiled rice, broken rice and paddy.
All entities holding rice and paddy stocks are required to submit their stock positions every Friday through the Food Stock Portal and ensure that the information is accurate and regularly updated. Entities failing to register on the portal or violating the prescribed stock limits will be liable for punitive action under Sections 6 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
To ensure the availability of rice at reasonable prices, particularly in southern India, the Centre has also conveyed its concurrence to Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana to impose stock limits on paddy and rice through appropriate control orders, wherever necessary. These restrictions will remain in force until January 31, 2027. Both central and state governments will monitor their implementation to prevent hoarding and black marketing and ensure adequate market supplies.
In another intervention, the government has allocated additional quantities of Bharat Rice to three agencies – NAFED, NCCF and Kendriya Bhandar – to expand its availability across the country, with particular focus on southern states. The agencies have been directed to explore multiple distribution channels to improve consumer access to the affordable rice offering. The move is expected to strengthen market supplies and help moderate retail prices.
The government has also doubled the target quantity of rice for sale through e-auctions under OMSS (D) for 2026-27 from 25 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) to 50 LMT. As of October 31, 2026, a total of 25 LMT of rice had been sold to private parties through OMSS (D) e-auctions, compared with 11 LMT during the corresponding period of the previous financial year.
Through these interventions, the government aims to strengthen domestic rice availability, curb speculative stocking, moderate market prices and protect consumer interests.
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