The Tamil Nadu government has launched a subsidised rice programme in Chennai, offering fine-quality rice at Rs 30 per kg through 30 state-run outlets as it responds to rising market prices. The scheme allows each consumer or family member to purchase up to five kg.
The initiative was launched in Chennai on Saturday by Minister for Food and Civil Supplies P Venkataramanan and Minister for Co-operation V Gandhiraj. The rice is currently available at 11 Amutham stores and 19 cooperative stores across the city.
The ministers said the programme would be extended to the rest of Tamil Nadu from Sunday. The government has procured 25,000 metric tonnes of rice for the initiative, which will be sold through 250 cooperative stores across the state.
The city rollout places the cooperative retail network at the centre of the government’s response to the increase in prices for fine-quality rice. Instead of introducing the subsidised product through a separate distribution channel, the programme uses existing Amutham and cooperative stores to make it available to consumers.
The purchase limit of five kg per consumer or family member is intended to regulate access at the participating outlets. The reported launch details do not specify how long the scheme will remain in operation or whether the quantity available at each store will be replenished according to local demand.
The programme comes as households face higher prices for selected food staples in the open market. The report said toor dal was selling at between Rs 170 and Rs 190 per kg. In response, the government is also considering selling toor dal at Rs 130 per kg through cooperative stores.
The proposed toor dal sale could be launched within a day or two, according to the ministers. However, the government has not yet announced the final rollout details, including the stores that would stock the product or the quantity that consumers would be allowed to purchase.
For Chennai residents, the immediate access points are the 11 Amutham stores and 19 cooperative stores identified for the rice launch. The broader state rollout will depend on the distribution of the procured stock through 250 cooperative stores, with the government’s next stated milestone being the extension of the programme from Sunday.
