New Delhi: The Government of India has operationalised an online portal mandating traders, retailers, wholesalers, large retail chains, processors and rice millers across all states and Union Territories to declare their rice and paddy stocks every Friday.
The move aims to prevent hoarding, improve market availability and curb rising rice prices. Under the November 6 order, stock declarations must cover six categories: Basmati rice, non-Basmati premium rice, non-Basmati rice, parboiled rice, broken rice and paddy.
All entities holding stocks must update their details on the Food Stock Portal (foodstock.dfpd.gov.in) every Friday. Those failing to register or violating prescribed stock limits may face action under Sections 6 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
The government has also allocated additional rice stocks to NAFED, NCCF and Kendriya Bhandar for sale under the Bharat Rice brand, with a focus on improving distribution, particularly in southern states.
Additionally, the Union Government has doubled the rice sales target under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) for 2026-27 to 50 lakh tonnes from 25 lakh tonnes. Around 25 lakh tonnes had been sold to private parties by October 31.
The measures come amid rising rice prices, attributed partly to deficient and uneven rainfall. Retail rice inflation increased to 8.25 per cent in September from 5.89 per cent in August, while average retail prices reached around Rs 48.23 per kg.
Kharif paddy acreage for 2026-27 declined by approximately 4 per cent to 42.68 million hectares. Trade estimates project rice production at 147 million tonnes, compared with a record 154 million tonnes in 2025-26.