Nizamabad: In the backdrop of introducing ‘Bharat Rice’ at Rs 29 per kg, the central government plans to organise a special drive against illegal hoarding of rice.
Retail prices have not come under control despite the bumper production in 2023-24 fiscal and the government enforcing restrictions on exports. To give relief to the consumers the central government introduced Bharat Rice.
Reportedly, several wholesalers, retailers and some rice millers illegally hoard stocks of paddy and rice to create an artificial shortage in the market. As a result, there occurs a gap between demand and supply, resulting in an increase in the prices.
People are shocked over the steep rise in prices even as the paddy production in the country is higher compared to previous years.
In this context, the ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution issued orders to all states and UTs to keep a vigil on hoarding of rice and paddy.
A senior official of the government, Rakesh Kumar Meena, has directed all wholesale traders, retailers, big-chain retailers, processors and millers of rice and paddy to submit the stock details to the authorities by Feb 9.
As per the new rule, every Friday, traders and millers should submit/place stock positions of paddy/rice categories of broken rice, non-Basmati white rice, parboiled rice, Basmati rice and paddy on the portal of GOI.
Some rice millers and paddy procurement agencies allegedly misappropriated government funds by showing the stocks on paper and not in physical evidence. In Nizamabad district alone, Rs 100 crore worth rice of government agencies was misappropriated. The state government has initiated an inquiry into this.
Regular uploading of stock positions on the web portal would prevent irregularities in paddy/rice stocks with the respective agencies, and help stabilise the prices, feels the central government.
However, the Modi government introduced Bharat Rice at Rs 29 per kg, in 5 kg and 10 kg packs, through various channels including cooperatives, retail chains and e-commerce platforms.
Ahead of the parliament elections, distribution of subsidised rice of Rs 29 kg and enforcement on rice stocks would bring down the rice prices, consumers hope.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a rice miller said that intervention of the central government would prevent the high-level irregularities in rice business.
