The Tamil Nadu government has launched a subsidised fine rice programme in Chennai, allowing consumers to buy the rice at Rs 30 per kg from 30 state-run outlets amid rising market prices. Each consumer or family member can purchase up to five kg under the initiative.
The programme was launched in Chennai on Saturday by Minister for Food and Civil Supplies P Venkataramanan and Minister for Co-operation V Gandhiraj. Rice is currently available at 11 Amutham stores and 19 cooperative stores across the city.
The government has said the initiative will be extended to the rest of Tamil Nadu from Sunday. To support the expansion, the state has procured 25,000 metric tonnes of rice, which will be sold through 250 cooperative stores across Tamil Nadu.
The intervention is focused on making fine-quality rice available at a lower price as consumers face higher costs for the variety in the open market. The government said the subsidised distribution was intended to ease the pressure on households dealing with the increase in rice prices.
The launch also places state-run retail outlets at the centre of the government’s response to food-price pressures. In Chennai, the initial network combines Amutham stores operated under the state’s food distribution system with cooperative stores, providing 30 points of sale for the programme.
The reported price difference is particularly significant for consumers who prefer fine-quality rice but have been affected by higher retail prices. The five-kg purchase limit per consumer or family member is intended to regulate access while the available stock is distributed through the selected outlets.
The government is also considering a subsidised programme for toor dal, another staple whose prices have increased in the open market. According to the report, toor dal is currently selling at Rs 170 to Rs 190 per kg, while the government is considering offering it at Rs 130 per kg through cooperative stores.
The proposed toor dal scheme could be launched in a day or two, although the report does not provide details on the quantity to be procured, the number of outlets involved or the purchase limit. The fine rice programme will first expand beyond Chennai through 250 cooperative stores from Sunday, with the government’s procured stock forming the basis of the statewide distribution.
