Chandigarh: The Centre decided to temporarily discontinue the universal supply of fortified rice across its welfare programmes, including Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), bringing relief to the rice industry in the state. As per a directive issued on Friday by the dept of food and public distribution, this suspension will remain in place until a more effective mechanism for the delivery of nutrients to beneficiaries can be identified.The decision follows the rice industry’s objections over “technical and administrative challenges” associated with fortified rice kernels (FRK), besides complaints of black marketing and misuse that were causing financial losses to millers.Stocks of fortified rice from the years 2023–24, 2024–25, and the ongoing 2025–26 season are lying in large quantities in warehouses across Punjab, and rice millers have been demanding disposal of this accumulated stock. With the new decision, disposal of old fortified mixed rice will now become possible, helping to ease the space constraints in warehouses and providing significant mental and financial relief to millers.To manage the transition, the ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution has ordered an immediate halt to yet-to-be finalised FRK empanelment tenders and banned fresh empanelment. Manufacturers currently producing FRK will have to upload their batch details to the portal by March 30, after which no new entries will be permitted. While states and UTs have the option to supply either fortified or non-fortified rice for pending dues of the 2024–25 and 2025–26 Kharif seasons, the Centre directed that from the 2025–26 Rabi crop onwards, only non-fortified rice will be procured. All existing fortified stock in the central pool will continue to be distributed until exhausted.A delegation led by Bharat Bhushan Binta, president of the Punjab Rice Industry Association, met Union minister Pralhad Joshi on Feb 12 to apprise him of the issues. BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh and Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar were also present. The rice industry has now thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Joshi for accepting its demand about fortified rice.Ranjit Singh Jossan, vice-president of the Punjab Rice Industry Association, said as per the letter issued by the Centre, the supply of fortified rice has been temporarily suspended. From the new marketing season 2026–27 onwards, only non-fortified rice will be delivered. This decision provided major relief to the rice industry in Punjab, he said.At the same time, a shortage of storage space in Punjab warehouses emerged as a serious concern. Currently, around 70 lakh metric tonnes of rice delivery remains pending. For smooth clearance, a monthly movement of at least 20 lakh metric tonnes is required. However, in recent months, the movement has been less than 4 lakh metric tonnes per month, leading to growing resentment among millers.The millers have demanded that the old stock of 2023–24, which are still lying in warehouses for more than two years, should be dispatched to other states on a priority basis. However, it was observed that the Regional Office, Chandigarh, moved the new 2025–26 stock instead, allegedly in deviation of the Central govt’s policy, leaving the older stock unattended.The rice industry has warned that with the onset of summer after March, there is a risk of an increase in the percentage of broken rice. Additionally, from mid-June onwards, the monsoon may cause damage to paddy stored in the open. Therefore, the industry appealed to both the Central and state govts to immediately enhance rice movement in order to prevent financial losses to millers. This year, the Centre set a target of delivering a total of 102 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of rice from Punjab to the central pool. Out of this, 20 lakh metric tonnes were to be improved rice (10% broken).
