Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution

September 18, 2026 3:25 PM

Government doubles sugar stockholding limit for bulk consumers to 30 days

The Government has relaxed the existing stockholding limit for bulk consumers of sugar from 15 days to 30 days, allowing them to maintain additional stocks during the upcoming festival season. However, the quantity held beyond the existing 15-day limit will have to be sourced exclusively from sugar imported under the Advance Authorisation Scheme (AAS) and Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ). The stockholding limit for sugar purchased from the open market will remain unchanged at 15 days’ consumption. Th...

September 10, 2026 6:01 PM

Government tightens e-commerce rules to boost consumer protection and transparency

The government has amended the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, to strengthen consumer protection, improve transparency in digital marketplaces and address emerging concerns related to online shopping practices. The Department of Consumer Affairs has notified the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) (Amendment) Rules, 2026, introducing a range of measures covering consumer grievances, search results, sponsored listings, price reductions, dark patterns, seller disclosures and the use of...

September 9, 2026 10:19 PM

National Consumer Helpline facilitates over Rs 105 crore in refunds to consumers

The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) has facilitated refunds of more than ₹105 crore to consumers across 35 sectors by resolving 1,66,189 refund-related grievances between April 25, 2025 and July 31, 2026, according to the Department of Consumer Affairs. The refunds were facilitated at the pre-litigation stage, allowing consumers to seek relief without having to approach Consumer Commissions. The NCH functions as a single-point platform through which consumers across the country can register ...

September 8, 2026 5:18 PM

DFPD, FCI sign MoU to improve foodgrain management through technology and performance targets

The Department of Food & Public Distribution (DFPD) and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 2026-27 aimed at improving operational efficiency, strengthening accountability and accelerating the modernisation of the country's foodgrain management system. The MoU, signed in New Delhi, establishes a performance-based framework for FCI with clearly defined annual targets covering storage, logistics, quality control and the use of technology. K...

August 26, 2026 9:45 PM

Centre begins targeted release of onion buffer stocks to check seasonal price rise

The Centre has begun a calibrated and targeted release of onions from its buffer stock to ensure adequate availability and contain seasonal price pressures ahead of the festive and wedding season, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said on Wednesday. The government is using a hybrid transportation model involving railway rakes and road transport to move onions from producing regions to major consumption centres, with the quantity and destinations to be expanded depen...

August 15, 2026 12:47 PM

Centre launches CBDC-based food subsidy transfer under PMGKAY in Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli

The Centre on Friday launched a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of food subsidies under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) in Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, marking the first large-scale application of CBDC in a Central Government welfare programme. The initiative was inaugurated by Union Minister for Education, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi, along with Punjab Govern...

July 28, 2026 6:33 PM

Centre imposes sugar stock limits on dealers from August 1 to curb hoarding and stabilise prices

The Central government has imposed stock holding limits on sugar dealers across the country from August 1 to November 30, 2026, in a bid to curb hoarding, discourage speculative trading and ensure the availability of sugar at reasonable prices. Announcing the decision on Tuesday, the government said the measure is intended to maintain orderly supplies in the domestic market, protect consumer interests and ensure that genuine trade and distribution activities continue without disruption. Accord...

June 29, 2026 12:57 PM

Centre introduces Improvement Notice mechanism under Legal Metrology Act to boost ease of doing business

The Department of Consumer Affairs has introduced a significant reform under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 by bringing in an Improvement Notice mechanism, allowing businesses to rectify specified first-time procedural and regulatory lapses before facing penal action. The move, introduced through the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026, is aimed at promoting ease of doing business, encouraging voluntary compliance and reducing unnecessary litigation, while maintaining robust consumer ...

May 8, 2026 3:11 PM

BIS hosts global meet on Space Systems Standards in Delhi

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the country’s national standards body, is hosting a major international conference on space systems and operations standards at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, bringing together global experts to discuss the future of space safety, sustainability and interoperability. The 35th Plenary and Working Groups meetings of ISO TC 20/SC 14 - the ‘Space Systems and Operations’ subcommittee of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) - has drawn 13...

May 8, 2026 2:28 PM

No wheat glut in Punjab mandis, procurement and lifting better than last year: Centre

The Centre on Thursday rejected claims of a “glut-like” situation in wheat mandis of Punjab, asserting that procurement, lifting and evacuation operations during the ongoing Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2026-27 are progressing more efficiently compared to last year. The clarification came in response to a media report which alleged that delays in wheat lifting had created congestion in mandis across the state. According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, to...