No reason to hike rice prices: Minister

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder today warned stern actions against increasing rice prices, saying the country has an adequate stockpile of food grain.  

"There's no reason to hike the prices. Action will be taken against those involved in raising rice prices," he told reporters after a view-exchange meeting with rice mill owners at the Secretariat.  

A cell has been formed to monitor the market round the clock and wholesale traders have been given directives in this regard, he said.  

The Minister said the annual demand for rice is 2,84,16710 metric tonnes. "About 14.59 lakh mts of rice and wheat are in stock and 11,13,303 metric tonnes are available at state-owned warehouses," he said.  

"Please don't raise the price of rice," he requested wholesalers.