In Chennai, Bharat rice starts to be sold

Together, the Ministry of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and the Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs’ National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF) launched the retail sale of Bharat rice using vans. At a cost of Rs. 29 per kilogram, these vehicles are selling 5 kg and 10 kg packets straight to customers.

According to sources in the food sector, customers won’t gain from the plan until Bharat rice meets the same quality as Ponni rice that is sold in retail outlets, despite the union government characterizing the move as an attempt to sell rice at a subsidized cost to battle increasing prices.

Official sources state that 22,000 metric tons (MT) of rice have been allotted for Tamil Nadu, of which the NCCF is expected to sell 10,000 MT. “We have two vehicles stationed, one in Anna Nagar and one next to the NCCF headquarters in Thousand Light. There is now a restriction of two to three bags per individual, and the packs may be purchased for Rs. 29 per kilogram, according to an official.

The representative said that the company used to offer “Bharat atta” for Rs. 27.5 per kg and “Bharat Chana dal” for Rs. 60 per kg. The official went on, “We intend to expand coverage to 25 to 26 districts throughout the state.”

After being processed by NCCF, the rice that was purchased from Food Corporation of India central warehouses was packaged into 5 kilogram and 10 kg bags. The source went on, “We are looking into ways to sell rice packets through well-known retail market brands in the city.”

In the meanwhile, the Union government has been asked by the state cooperative department to use its retail outlets to promote “Bharat Atta” and other products.

Vans are stationed at the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India headquarters in Chennai. Karnataka is now selling “Bharat” rice at Rs 29 per kg.
Sources inside the food business questioned the scheme’s applicability, however, given that Ponni rice now retails for between Rs. 46 and Rs. 60 per kg, depending on quality. They contend that ration stores prove there is never a scarcity of rice. According to a Redhills wholesale merchant, “selling rice at the same quality as that in ration shops is unlikely to curb inflation caused by higher-priced varieties.”

He said, “They suggest that the success of Bharat rice depends on matching the quality of Ponni rice available at private retail stores.”

With a minimum allotment of 12 kg, Tamil Nadu’s universal public distribution system provides free rice at a rate of 5 kg per person (up to 25 kg for five persons). Furthermore, Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cards are entitled to 35 kg of rice at no cost. There are 2.1 crore ration cards in total who are qualified for free rice.

Tamil Nadu needs 3.5 lakh MT of rice per month under the PDS; of that amount, 1.94 lakh MT is given out for free to AAY cardholders and the Center for Priority Households (PHH) as part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY). Through a tide-over allotment, 84,000 MT are acquired at a cost of Rs. 8.33 per kg. Additionally, the state acquires 60,000 MT of rice from the Union government for distribution to non-priority cardholders and nutritional programs under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) at a price of Rs. 35.5 per kg.

Approximately 70–75% of cardholders make monthly purchases of rice. Ration rice was not in limited supply, according to a department of civil supplies officer.