THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mobile shops will reach out to beneficiaries with Bharat Rice. Bharat rice will be sold in mobile shops in packs of 5kg and 10 kg. The National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF) is opening 200 outlets in the state to sell Bharat rice. Mobile shops are being opened because it will be late.

The central scheme to sell Bharat rice at Rs 29 per kg was flagged off in Thrissur on Tuesday. The sale of rice through vehicles will take place in all districts within a week. There was good response from those who bought rice in Thrissur. With this, there was a flow of inquiries to the NCCF Kochi office yesterday on the phone and in person. 'Ponni Ari', which is superior in Raw rice, was sold.

Rice will also be sold through registered societies and private entrepreneurs. At present there is a plan to provide Bharat rice to the shopkeepers as well. They should be paid a commission and this is being discussed.

Rice for the state is being collected from FCI's Angamali godown. From there, the rice is brought to the mill at Kaladi, polished and packed. NCCF officials said that online marketing will also start after a week.

Not enough staff

Apart from NCCF, Bharat rice has to be sold through NAFED and Kendriya Bhandar outlets. There are no Kendriya Bhandar outlets here. NAFED South Regional Branch is in Kochi but rice distribution has not started. NCCF currently has only two employees.

Politics in Thrissur

The flag-off and first sale in Thrissur is believed to be a vote-targeting move by the BJP. 150 sacks of rice delivered yesterday was sold out. Thrissur is the main seat targeted by the BJP in the coming general elections.