Chennai, Oct 19:
The Tamil Nadu government has launched a subsidised scheme to sell fine-quality rice at Rs 30 per kg through 30 selected outlets in Chennai, seeking to provide relief to consumers amid rising market prices.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister P Venkataramanan and Cooperation Minister V Gandhiraj launched the initiative on Saturday. The rice is being sold through 11 Amutham stores and 19 cooperative stores in the city. Under the scheme, each consumer or family member can purchase a maximum of five kg.
The government has procured 25,000 metric tonnes of rice for distribution through the programme. The stock is intended to be sold through 250 cooperative stores across Tamil Nadu, with the initiative scheduled to be extended beyond Chennai.
The scheme comes amid concerns over the cost of fine-quality rice in the open market. By making the commodity available at a fixed subsidised price, the government aims to improve affordability for households and increase access through its existing public distribution and cooperative retail networks.
The government is also considering intervention in the prices of other essential commodities. Toor dal has been selling in the open market at around Rs 170–190 per kg. Officials are considering selling the pulse at Rs 130 per kg through cooperative stores, with the programme expected to be introduced after the necessary arrangements are made.
The rice initiative is part of the State’s broader efforts to make essential food items available at affordable rates and cushion consumers against price increases. The expansion to 250 cooperative stores is expected to widen access to the subsidised rice beyond the initial 30 outlets in Chennai.