Government intensifies anti-hoarding measures: rice auction limits doubled as southern states get nod for stock caps
The Centre doubled its 2026-27 domestic rice e-auction target under OMSS to 50 lakh tonnes after selling 25 lakh tonnes by October 31. It also mandated weekly stock disclosures, authorized five southern states to impose stock limits and expanded subsidized Bharat Rice distribution.
The Central Government has doubled its e-auction target for domestic rice sales under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) from 25 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) to 50 LMT for 2026-27, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution said in a press released through the Press Information Bureau (PIB). The move was aimed to ensure adequate domestic supply and maintain retail price stability.
Up to October 31, 2026, the government had already sold 25 LMT of rice to private parties through these auctions, up from 11 LMT during the same period last year.
Alongside the increased auction targets, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has mandated weekly stock disclosures for all traders, wholesalers, retailers, big chains, and millers.
Stocking entities must update their holdings every Friday on the Food Stock Portal across six distinct categories, including Basmati, Non-Basmati, and Paddy, according to an order issued on November 6. Violators will face punitive action under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
Additionally, the Centre has authorized five southern states—Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana—to impose localized stock limits until January 31, 2027. To further ease retail prices, additional quantities of subsidized ‘Bharat Rice’ will be distributed through NAFED, NCCF, and Kendriya Bhandar.
The Centre and state governments will monitor the implementation to ensure market availability and prevent hoarding and black marketing.
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Source : ChiniMandi
