Now government will also sell Sela rice along with raw rice

07-Jun-2024 03:33 PM

New Delhi. With the aim of controlling the domestic market price of rice, the central government started the sale of raw (white) rice at a discounted price of Rs 29 per kg in February under the Bharat brand.

It is being sold through retail outlets of government agencies like NAFED, NCPF and Kendriya Bhandaar. Although the general consumers showed good interest in its purchase, it did not have any significant impact on the domestic market price of rice.

In view of this, the government has now decided to start retail sale of Sela rice in South India under the Bharat brand.

Sela rice is especially liked there. White rice is consumed more in the northern and eastern states. Food Corporation of India (FCI) has a stock of Sela rice, out of which about 1.30 lakh tonnes of stock has been provided to these agencies.

There is an atmosphere of ups and downs in the prices of rice. Inflation in rice has been above 10 percent for the past few months, while commercial export of white rice is banned and 20 percent customs duty is imposed on export of Sela rice. Rice production declined in the last Kharif season, but the total seasonal production has been estimated to be better.