'Bharat Rice' At Rs 29: What Is It And Where To Buy?

The Centre has launched 'Bharat Rice' which will be sold at a subsidised rate of Rs 29 per kg. This will give relief to people who are facing the brunt of the price rise.

In the initial phase, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) plans to allocate 500,000 tonnes of rice to two cooperatives, namely the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF), along with the retail chain Kendriya Bhandar.

The bags will be available in 5 kg and 10 kg bags. "In the first phase, 5 LMT of rice has been allocated for retail sale under the 'Bharat Rice' brand through 3 agencies viz NAFED, NCCF and Kendriya Bhandar. The retail price for the sale of Bharat Rice to general consumers will be Rs. 29/kg. Rice will be sold in 5 Kg and 10 Kg Bags," a statement from the

Where To Buy 'Bharat Rice'?

The Bharat Rice will be available for purchase from mobile vans and physical outlets of the three central co-operative agencies, to begin with, and it will also be available through other retail chains including e-commerce platforms very soon," the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution said.

Can Consumers Buy 'Bharat Rice' Online?

As the government said that it will be available on e-commerce platforms, it is expected to be sold at all popular sites including Flipkart.

The government has turned to retail sales of FCI rice following a tepid reception to bulk sales to users at identical rates under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS). With 'Bharat atta' fetching Rs 27.50 per kg and 'Bharat chana' at Rs 60 per kg through the same channels, the government is optimistic about garnering a favourable response for 'Bharat Rice' as well.

The statement from the Centre said that the domestic prices of rice have been increasing despite a good crop this Kharif, ample stocks with FCI and in the pipeline and various regulations in place on Rice exports. The retail prices have increased by 14.51 per cent over the past year.

"In an effort to curb the prices of rice, various steps have already been taken by the Government. Sufficient stock of good quality Rice is available with FCI which is being offered to traders/wholesalers under OMSS at a reserve price of Rs. 29/Kg. In order to increase the sale of rice in the open market, GoI reduced the Reserve Price of rice from Rs. 3100/ Qtl to Rs. 2900/Qtl. and the minimum and maximum quantity of rice was revised to 1 MT and 2000 MT respectively. In addition to this, regular publicity has been done by the FCI regional offices for wider outreach. As a result, the sale of rice has gradually increased. Till 31.01.2024, 1.66 LMT rice has been sold in the open market which is the highest sale in any year under OMSS (D) for rice," the statement added.