The Ministry of Trade has initiated an investigation to verify whether rice is being released to the market at the controlled prices set by the government. The ministry's secretary, M.M. Naimudeen confirmed that officials from the Consumer Affairs Authority have started conducting inspections at the district level to ensure that sellers comply with these prices.
During a recent meeting with the President, rice mill owners agreed to release Nadu rice to the market at a price of Rs. 218 per kilogram. This agreement allows Nadu rice to be sold in stores for Rs. 220 per kilogram. The Ministry of Trade has stressed that anyone found selling rice.
Meanwhile, many Economic Analysts have pointed out that large scale rice mill owners are operating as monopolies and price advantages are taken by third party dealers, which could hurt both farmers and consumers. They believe the government needs to address this monopoly and third party dealers issue to ensure that rice remains affordable and that farmers receive fair compensation for their crops and ensure a steady supply of rice in the market.
