To ensure the uninterrupted distribution of essential commodities in Tamil Nadu, the Tamil Nadu government has announced that fine rice will be sold at Rs. 30 per kg through Amudham and cooperative stores.
In this regard, the Department of Food Supply and Consumer Protection issued the following press release:
Tamil Nadu is one of the few states in the country that implements the Universal Public Distribution System (Universal PDS). Through this, the Tamil Nadu government provides essential food items to 7.01 crore beneficiaries linked to about 2.29 crore family ration cards in the state, including Priority (PHH), Non-Priority (Non-PHH), and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cardholders.
The Government of Tamil Nadu will ensure the uninterrupted supply of rice to the public through fair price shops for the next one year. In addition, since there is sufficient stock of sugar, palm oil, and pulses, which are distributed along with rice at fair price shops, the Government of Tamil Nadu will also ensure the continuous distribution of these items for the next three months.
Paddy traders in Tamil Nadu purchase large quantities of fine rice from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. This year, due to the impact caused by the El Niño effect, paddy cultivation and the supply of fine rice have declined. As a result, shortages of paddy and rice have increased in the open market, and their prices have also risen significantly.
The Price Monitoring Cell functioning under the Department of Food and Civil Supplies monitors the prices of 67 essential commodities from all districts and sends a weekly report to the government. In addition, a Price Monitoring Committee meeting is being held once every three months, or as and when required, under the chairmanship of the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, with the aim of controlling the rise in prices of essential commodities.
In these meetings, while examining the rise in the prices of essential commodities, “In Tamil Nadu, in 2022, one kilogram of rice was sold at an average price of Rs. 48. This price rose slightly in 2024 and was sold at Rs. 57. In 2025, the price decreased slightly and was sold at Rs. 55 per kilogram. In this situation, due to the reduction in yield caused by the El Niño impact, in September this year, the price of one kilogram of rice has significantly increased to an average of Rs. 61.
Moreover, in Tamil Nadu, the average price of toor dal in 2022 was Rs. 120 per kilogram. In 2023, the price rose sharply and averaged Rs. 173. However, in 2025, the price of toor dal fell significantly and was sold at an average of Rs. 114 per kilogram. In this situation, it was found that due to the decline in yield caused by the impact of El Niño this year, the price of one kilogram of toor dal in September has risen considerably to an average of Rs. 134.
Based on the above data, it is clear that over the past 4 years, the prices of essential commodities such as rice and toor dal have been fluctuating due to various factors, including high yields and El Niño.
This year, with the aim of correcting this situation, the Tamil Nadu Government will, as a first step, distribute 25,000 metric tons of fine rice across Tamil Nadu through 201 cooperative stores and 49 Amudham outlets at a low price of Rs. 30 per kg. Depending on public demand, up to 5 kg will be provided starting from this weekend.
Furthermore, as a first step, 500 metric tons of toor dal are being procured from NAFED and steps are being taken to distribute it at a lower price to the public at Rs. 130 per kg through 250 Amudham and cooperative department stores across Tamil Nadu.
The government had already, when the market price of onions was Rs. 65 per kg, sold more than 2,500 metric tons of onions in Tamil Nadu to the public at a price of Rs. 35 per kg under price control measures through cooperative department stores and fair price shops. This scheme will continue to be implemented by the government for the benefit of the public.
Furthermore, to prevent fluctuations in the prices of essential commodities at the district level and hoarding, a district-level price monitoring committee has been formed under the leadership of the District Supply Officer, comprising the Taluk Supply Officer, the Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies, the Inspector from the Statistics Department, and the Special Revenue Inspector.
Police officers of the Civil Supplies-Crime Investigation Department have been instructed to monitor the hoarding and black-market sale of essential commodities and to take appropriate criminal action under the Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act.
In addition, essential commodities are being supplied at low prices through all Amudham and cooperative department stores across Tamil Nadu. Furthermore, the government has taken steps to sell rice, toor dal, urad dal, chilli, coriander, and garlic at prices lower than market rates in order to control their prices.
Through the above measures, the Tamil Nadu government will ensure that essential commodities are available to the public at fair prices.
The Government of Tamil Nadu has stated that it is taking all necessary measures to reduce the impact of inflation caused by global factors and the El Niño effect, and to ensure the steady supply of essential commodities.
