Centre to sell subsidised rice under Bharat brand

In a move to combat rising food prices, the Union government plans to sell packaged subsidised rice under the Bharat brand starting next week.

All traders dealing in rice are required to declare their stocks as part of new measures to address high cereal inflation.

The government aims to sell Bharat brand rice at ?29 per kg through cooperatives like NAFED and NCCF, as well as the state-backed retail chain Kendriya Bhandar.

This initiative follows a series of bans on the export of key commodities to ensure an adequate domestic supply.

Rice prices have surged, prompting the government to take steps to control food inflation, which spiked to 9.53% in December.

Retailers, wholesalers, and processors are now mandated to disclose their rice stocks on the food department's portal.