New Delhi, November 6: Every trader, wholesaler, retailer, big chain retailer and miller in the country must now declare their rice and paddy stocks every Friday, under an order issued by the Union Government on Friday to keep rice prices in check.
The government has also doubled the quantity of rice it will sell through open-market e-auctions this year, allowed five southern states to impose stock limits, and increased supplies of subsidised Bharat Rice.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said it is closely watching food grain prices, particularly rice, and the steps are meant to ensure adequate supplies, keep prices stable, prevent hoarding and protect consumers.
Weekly stock declarations on the Food Stock Portal
Under the order dated November 6, 2026, stockists in all states and Union Territories must report their holdings in six categories: basmati rice, non-basmati premium rice, non-basmati rice, parboiled rice, broken rice and paddy.
The figures must be updated every Friday on the Food Stock Portal (foodstock.dfpd.gov.in). Any entity found unregistered on the portal or breaching stock limits will face action under Sections 6 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, the ministry said.
Stock limits allowed in five southern states
The Centre has given its consent to Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana to impose stock limits on paddy and rice through control orders wherever needed. The limits can stay in force until January 31, 2027.
The Central and state governments will monitor implementation to ensure rice is available in markets and to prevent hoarding and black marketing.
OMSS target doubled to 50 LMT
The target for rice sales under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic), or OMSS (D), for 2026-27 has been raised from 25 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) to 50 LMT.
Up to October 31, 2026, 25 LMT of rice had already been sold to private buyers through OMSS (D) e-auctions, compared with 11 LMT in the same period of the previous financial year, according to the ministry.
More Bharat Rice, especially in the south
Additional quantities of Bharat Rice are being allocated to NAFED, NCCF and Kendriya Bhandar to expand sales across the country, particularly in the southern states. The three agencies have been asked to use every available distribution channel so that consumers can buy rice at affordable prices more easily.
The ministry said the measures are expected to increase market supplies and help moderate retail prices.
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