Centre will continue to bar states from buying rice from FCI stock

The Indian government will not allow state governments to purchase rice from its buffer stock, despite low sales in the market. The Food Corporation of India has only sold 1,210 tonnes of rice out of the 9.34 lakh tonnes offered since June. The decision was made to ensure that the agency can meet the requirements of all citizens. The government’s move has been criticized by the Congress party, and private players have mistaken the fortified rice offered by the government as intended for the public distribution system.