“Bharat Rice” Launched at Rs 29/kg, Mobile Vans Deployed

New Delhi, February 6, 2024: In an effort to provide relief to consumers facing rising food prices, the Union government today launched “Bharat Rice,” a subsidized rice scheme offering the staple grain at Rs 29 per kilogram (kg).

Subsidized Rice Now Available: The initiative was officially launched by Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal. Starting today, consumers can purchase Bharat Rice in 5 kg and 10 kg packs at all physical and mobile outlets of Kendriya Bhandar, National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), and National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF). In the coming days, the scheme will be expanded to include other retail outlets and e-commerce platforms, ensuring wider accessibility.

Government’s Commitment to Affordability: Highlighting the government’s focus on maintaining affordability for essential commodities, Minister Goyal emphasized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sensitivity towards the needs of the people. He stated that Bharat Rice is another step in this direction, following the successful launches of “Bharat Atta” (wheat flour) at Rs 27.50/kg and “Bharat Dal” (split chickpea) at Rs 60/kg.

Mobile Van Distribution: To ensure wider reach, the launch event also saw the flagging off of 100 mobile vans specifically dedicated to selling Bharat Rice. This move aims to bring the subsidized rice directly to consumers in areas with limited access to conventional retail outlets.

Impact and Expectations: With rising food prices putting a strain on household budgets, the introduction of Bharat Rice is expected to offer much-needed relief to millions of Indians. The scheme’s success will depend on its effective implementation, ensuring sufficient stock availability and smooth distribution across the country.