The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution announced significant policy interventions to monitor food grain prices, particularly rice, and ensure adequate domestic supplies while maintaining price stability.
Mandatory Stock Disclosure
The Government issued an order dated 06.11.2026 requiring all traders, wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers, and processors/millers across all States and Union Territories to declare their stock positions every Friday on the Food Stock Portal (https://foodstock.dfpd.gov.in). Stocks must be disclosed across six categories: Basmati Rice, Non-Basmati Premium Rice, Non-Basmati Rice, Parboiled Rice, Broken Rice, and Paddy. Entities found unregistered or violating stock limits face punitive action under Sections 6 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
OMSS (D) Rice Sales Expansion
The government has doubled the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) rice sale target for 2026-27 from 25 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) to 50 LMT. As of 31 October 2026, 25 LMT of rice has already been sold to private parties through e-auctions, significantly exceeding the 11 LMT sold during the corresponding period of the previous financial year.
Southern States Stock Limits
Concurrence has been conveyed to five Southern States—Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana—to impose stock limits on paddy and rice through appropriate control orders where necessary. These measures will remain in force until 31 January 2027, with both Central and State Governments monitoring implementation to prevent hoarding and black marketing.
Bharat Rice Allocation
Additional quantities of 'Bharat Rice' have been allocated to NAFED, NCCF, and Kendriya Bhandar to expand availability across the country, with particular focus on Southern States. These agencies have been directed to explore all possible distribution channels to ensure wider reach and consumer accessibility.
These comprehensive measures aim to augment market supplies, improve consumer access to affordable rice, moderate retail prices, and safeguard consumer interests nationwide.