The Tamil Nadu Government on Wednesday launched a market intervention programme to control rice prices by selling one lakh tonnes of rice at Rs 20 a kg.
The move is in line with the announcement in the budget when the State Government said it would strengthen the programme by doubling the price stabilisation fund to Rs 100 crore to buy and distribute essential commodities at cost price.
The market intervention fund was announced last year.
The rice will be sold in the open market at Rs 20 a kg through cooperative stores and special outlets.
The Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa launched the programme from the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation’s warehouse complex in Nandanam, said an official press release.
The rice will be available in the Civil Supplies Corporation-run Amudham retail outlets, cooperative stores and special outlets to be opened.