States can now directly purchase rice from the Food Corporation of India at Rs 2,800 per quintal without having to participate in the e-auction, provided they need it for their welfare schemes. This announcement was made by Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Thursday. The central government did not supply rice to states last year due to concerns over a possible drop in output caused by poor monsoon rains. Karnataka’s request for rice for its welfare scheme was declined last year.
