In a first, govt directs rice sector to cut domestic prices

Sufficient good quality rice is available under the OMSS to traders, the govt said

- Dhirendra Kumar

• The annual inflation rate of rice has been near 12% for the past two years which is a cause of concern, the food ministry said

The Union government on Monday directed rice industry associations to ensure domestic prices of non-basmati rice are brought down to optimal levels and profiteering is dealt with strictly.

"The rice industry needs to ensure that the prices in the domestic market need to be brought down to optimal levels and efforts at profiteering dealt with strictly," the government said in an official statement on Monday.